Olynyk Spends Time With Homeless Children At Legoland
SOMERVILLE (CBS) -- He plays basketball for a living, but Boston Celtic Kelly Olynyk had no problem enjoying himself at Legoland at Assembly Row in Somerville with more than a dozen preschool-aged homeless children.
"It's awesome coming with the kids. The kids are really excited. They love this kind of stuff," the 7-foot-tall power forward/center told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker on Thursday.
"For them to get outside of their own comfort zone and be able to get out here and play a little, smile, laugh, it's something special so it's something I like to do."
Olynyk's field trip included rides designed for kids.
He said the laser-shooting ride was "pretty cool," as was the ninja one "if you're that size."
This is all part of the work of the team's Shamrock Foundation.
Cindy Brennan, the foundation's director, says "We're lucky to be able to leverage the Boston Celtics, our players, our legends, and some of our assets to work collaboratively with nonprofits and have a greater collective impact in the community."
Kathie Carroll-Day of Horizons for Homeless Children says she is happy to be able to give the kids an enjoyable day out.
"They just have so much fun," she said.
"It's great. We love being partners with the Celtics and the Shamrock Foundation...to do something like this."
David Gilmore, general manager at Legoland, says seeing the thrill of the children makes it all worthwhile.
"We're in the position that we can give back, and we have that opportunity," he said.
"So when anybody approaches us, we just think it's an honor that we can give back to the community."
As Olynyk was building Legos with the kids, a replica of the NBA championship trophy was brought in. It was make entirely out of Legos.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker Reports:
