The Garden of Dream Foundation (GDF), an organization that works closely with the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Family of Companies to bring life-changing opportunities to young people in need, hosted 350 local school-age children for its second annual “Back-to-School Dream Day” on the Knicks’ home court at MSG Wednesday.
With the school year steadily approaching, the youth in grades 3-6 from GDF partnered community organizations, including Children’s Aid, Children’s Village and Harlem Dowling, among others, were given Knicks, Rangers, Radio City and GDF branded school supplies and merchandise such as shirts, hats, backpacks, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils and crayons to prepare them for the upcoming school year.
The items were given out by members of the local sports and entertainment scene, such as former Rangers forward Adam Graves and former Knicks guard John Starks, who are GDF board members.
“The kids get to come here to MSG and the arena. Get to go back to school. We got some supplies for them. Just a joyous day for them to get them started and get ready to go back to school,” Starks told amNewYork. “The Garden of Dreams Foundation is the most important thing we do at the Garden to be able to give back to the community, especially the youth. It means so much to us because we know that they are the future.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to be here in the past, but we often talk about MSG. This is the most important part of MSG, Garden of Dreams, being part of the community, and what better way to celebrate than to see these championship Knicks backpacks and school supplies,” Graves said. “We all know when we were kids how excited we were for the start of the school year.”
While Graves and Starks handed out supplies on the court, the youth ventured round the court to a photo booth and candy bar, which was a favorite among many of the children.
Behind the court, the youth were invited to take photos with the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy, famously won by the 2026 NBA champion Knicks.
“It feels good [to be here] because I’m at the stadium where the Knicks won the championship,” Matthew, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, said.
He added that it feels good getting free school supplies “because we didn’t have to pay for it, while last year I had to pay for it because I didn’t come.”
Shian, who is originally Georgia, said she “felt great” and “the most exciting thing is being here.”
“I think the [school supplies] will help me be prepared so I don’t have to spend too much money on back-to-school supplies,” she added. “ I got a Knicks hat, a Knicks bag and a Knicks backpack.”
During this year’s event, GDF offered youth the opportunity to interact with other notable athletes and entertainers such as World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight champion Bruce Carrington and two members of the Radio City Rockettes.
“This is such an incredible event. Back to school can be stressful for some people and their families, so getting to be part of this event where we’re providing all the essential supplies and also getting to interact with these students is such an honor,” Avery of the Radio City Rockettes told amNewYork.
“It’s such a privilege to be here today and to be a part of this experience and creating these life-changing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for these children and families that might be struggling, especially during back-to-school,” McKenzie of the Radio City Rockettes said.
Carrington, nicknamed “Shu Shu,” helped give out custom refilled water bottles while sporting a custom Knicks jersey and his WBC title belt wrapped around his shoulders. He spoke to amNewYork about his desire to give back to those in need and use his platform to “spread love”
“I think that athletes forget the responsibility that they have in terms of being on a big stage and you have to give back in some way. I feel like the person I am today is because of the people that gave back to me and I understand how it affects me, so I can only imagine how it affects the kids coming up from behind me,” Carrington said.
The 11th annual back-to-school donation program also extends across the MSG Family of Companies, with more than 11,000 school supply kits provided to students in New York, Chicago, Burbank and Las Vegas. The program runs in partnership with elected officials and community leaders in each city and helps ensure that students are properly equipped for their first day of school.
