A surprise visit from the Phoenix Suns Gorilla on June 27 brought joy to patients recovering at Circle the City’s Medical Respite Center, a 50-bed facility that provides holistic healthcare and services to homeless adult men and women transitioning out of hospitalization.
Not only did the Gorilla interact with patients and put smiles on faces, he also delivered 100 Kindness Kits, along with assistance from Phoenix Suns Charities’ summer interns, to the nonprofit organization. The plastic bags include items such as a granola bar, toothbrush and toothpaste, water bottle, clean socks, and hand sanitizer.
Circle the City staff distributes these kits to its clients, even as they work to find them housing solutions for when they are ready to leave the medical center.
“Our patients were overwhelmed with joy that the Phoenix Suns Gorilla and executive team spent time with them,” said Circle the City’s director of Development, Kimberly Hall. “One patient shared that the Suns visit made him feel important and made him smile like he never had before. We can’t say enough about the generosity of the Phoenix Suns leadership team giving of their time to meet with our patients and the Circle the City team.”