Shock's Barbara Farris "Adopts" a Family for the Holidays
December 14, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Detroit Shock News Release
Auburn Hills, MI -Shock forward/center Barbara Farris added four new members to her extended family this holiday season as she "adopted" the Bondio family as part of the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) Adopt-a-Family program.
Tony and Julie Bondio are originally from Louisiana, but were forced to relocate to Chesterfield Township, Michigan with their three-year-old son Anthony, after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. Julie is currently pregnant with the couples' second child who is due to be born in late January.
Tony recently moved back down to New Orleans, where he and the family eventually hope to re-settle. In the meantime, Julie and Anthony remain in Michigan separated from Tony for an indefinite period of time.
"As soon as I found out about the Adopt-a-Family program I knew I wanted to be a part of it," said Farris, a WNBA Community Assist Award recipient and 2004 Palace Sports & Entertainment Detroit Shock Employee of the Year. "I've been blessed with so many things in this life including a strong and supportive family who taught me the importance of helping people in need. Being a Louisiana native, having the opportunity to assist a family impacted by Katrina is especially moving. Hopefully at this time next year the Bondios will be settled back down in Louisiana, and this holiday season will mark a happy new beginning to their lives together."
Farris spent the past several weeks scouring local stores for items on the Bondio's wish list, and on Tuesday, December 13, she and the Palace Community Relations Staff piled into a Jeep Liberty to purchases mane of the gifts at area Target and Meijer stores. Farris and company will deliver the presents to the Bondios on Thursday, December 15, and the Detroit Shock is flying Tony back to Michigan on Saturday, December 24 so he can spend Christmas with his family.
Experience the Detroit Shock, "It's Personal," presented by Lennox. Shock season tickets are available by calling 248.377.0100 or by logging on to www.detroitshock.com.
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