By Andrew McClure

For the tenth consecutive year, members of the New York Knicks traded in their high tops for bowling shoes and took part in Knicks Bowl 10 at Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers. Joining members of the current New York roster were former Knicks Allan Houston, John Starks, Charles Smith and Dean Meminger. Proceeds of the event benefit the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization which works with all areas of Madison Square Garden to make dreams come true for underprivileged children, including those suffering from severe illness, homelessness, abuse, hunger and poverty.

First-year forward Danilo Gallinari was pleased to be able to help those in need. “It’s a lot of fun to be out with the guys, and it’s good to be able to help out the kids,” Gallinari said. The Knicks 2008 first round draft pick wasn’t bowling, as he is just days away from undergoing back surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. He is expected to make a full recovery in six to eight weeks.

Since 2000, the Knicks have raised more than $1.5 million through the event, and have provided more than 11,000 children and families with experiences that they could normally only dream of. Garden of Dreams, which was created in 2006, is also supported by the Rangers, Liberty, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment. Also on hand at the event were the Knicks City Dancers, actors Vincent Pastore, John Leguizamo and Anthony Anderson, models Jessica White, Danielle Abreu and Hannah Davis, former Liberty player Kym Hampton, Knicks icon Cal Ramsey and many others.

Ramsey, who is a fixture at Knicks and Liberty games, is no stranger to assisting underprivileged children. He has been cited for his numerous accomplishments with the Knicks’ city-wide youth education program, the team’s involvement in the Read to Achieve youth initiative, and MSG’s Cheering For Children Foundation. Ramey, who has attended each Knicks Bowl event, serves as Goodwill Ambassador for Madison Square Garden. “The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a wonderful charity because it benefits so many programs,” Ramsey said. “I’m happy to be able to be part of assisting these needy children.” 

Silent auction items included jerseys signed by Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Michael Beasley, Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed and Clyde Frazier. Throughout the season, the Knicks and the Garden of Dreams Foundation work on a variety of community projects and events, all with the goal of making a difference in the lives of children and families.