SAN ANTONIO — Well-deserving San Antonio educators received recognition and holiday help from the San Antonio Spurs, Firstmark Credit Union, and former Spurs swingman Lonnie Walker IV.
They all teamed up for the annual "Turkeys For Teachers" event, which recognizes local educators' excellent work throughout the school season.
"First Mark Credit Union started off as a San Antonio Teachers Credit Union years ago, and we have always been committed to teachers and education. This is just one small way of celebrating, just really amazing educators in the community who don't get thanked enough. This is our way of doing, doing our part," said Marisa Perez-Diaz, Executive Director of the Firstmark Foundation.
Cars lined up from one end of the street to another at Firstmark Credit Union as a mariachi band played, Firstmark employees thanked educators, and turkeys were handed out.
Despite no longer with the Spurs, Lonnie Walker IV pitched in to help San Antonio educators.
Through his foundation, The Lonnie Walker IV Foundation, his father, Lonnie Walker III, and foundation staff were on hand to greet teachers and show that he still cared for San Antonio. They handed out Thanksgiving sides as teachers pulled up in their cars, grateful for the gesture.
"It means a lot. He was drafted here, so San Antonio will always have a special place in our hearts that gave us the opportunity to change our lives and give him a chance to play professional basketball," Walker III said. "San Antonio will always have a special place in our hearts."
Walker was allowed to pass on participating because he is currently playing in the EuroLeague.
However, he insisted that geography would not interfere with helping out San Antonio and directed his team to ensure that local educators were awarded for their work.
"He (Walker) said absolutely we're going to do it. We have to do it," said Walkers' Business Manager, Cory Kemp. "He loves San Antonio. He loves this collaboration with First Mark and it's going to be something that is going to happen every year."
As cars of teachers and their families drove in to get their meals, they shouted out Lonnie's name, hoping he was there. A sign that the former Spur still holds a special spot with fans.
Said Kemp: "He definitely misses San Antonio. He still has his house here. He loves the city. This city gave him his first opportunity in the NBA. He's never forgotten that."
From the Spurs to Firstmark Credit Union, the Lonnie Walker Foundation, and all other partners at the event, San Antonio educators know their efforts are not going unrecognized.