WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On Sunday, December 18, Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk hosted several families associated with Saint John’s Program for Real Change for a shopping spree at Target in West Sacramento.

“It’s always important to give back,” Monk said at the event. “The fans are always supporting us. We don’t get a chance to come out here and support them. So, it’s always good to do that and for them to see my face somewhere else.”

As part of the Sacramento Kings 21st Annual Season of Doing Good presented by Raley’s, Monk provided local mothers and their children with Target gift cards and joined the 916 Crew and Kings Dancers in the shopping experience.

“Today Malik Monk really blessed a lot of families from Saint John’s Program for Real Change,” said Kings Vice President of Experiences and Social Responsibility, Maritza Davis. “We’re shopping with some moms and their kids so that they can have a really amazing Christmas.”

In addition, the families were provided gift cards to Chipotle and Crumble Cookies for after shopping treats, memorabilia signed by Monk and tickets to the game on December 19 against the Charlotte Hornets.

“On behalf of Saint John’s, I want to say a HUGE thank you to Malik and the Kings organization,” said Saint John’s Program for Real Change Community Engagement Manager, Karen Edwards. “You have all been supportive of Saint John’s over the years. You’ve come and volunteered, you’ve supported us and we’re grateful for the partnership that we have. We’re very grateful for this holiday surprise that these women and their children experienced tonight, so thank you.”

Saint John’s Square resident Terra Hennefer and her young son were one of the families who enjoyed a shopping spree.

“It was awesome, I totally feel blessed to have this experience,” Hennefer said. “We did a lot of shopping, he got to pick out his own little toys, so it was amazing. We feel totally blessed to have this experience.”

Kirby Elmore, a fellow square resident, has had her life dramatically changed by Saint John’s in a positive way.

“Two years ago, I was living in a trailer on the side of the road,” Elmore said. “Saint John’s took me in and now I have a job, I have a house, I have a car, insurance, registration and my life is just totally turned around. This is the happiest time of my life.”