As the holiday season enveloped Oakland in warmth and joy, the spirit of giving took on a new dimension at the 12th annual “Christmas with the Currys” event. Stephen and Ayesha Curry, beloved figures in both the NBA and their community, gathered with over 200 students from Madison Park Academy to spread cheer, share resources, and reinforce their deep-rooted commitment to the city of Oakland through their Eat. Learn. Play. foundation.
Despite the Golden State Warriors’ move to San Francisco in 2019, the Currys have never wavered in their devotion to Oakland, the city that welcomed Stephen as the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Their foundation, launched in 2019, has dedicated itself to transforming the lives of Oakland’s children, offering them access to nutritious food, quality education, and safe spaces for recreation. Through this initiative, the Currys have become a constant presence in the community, their efforts far transcending their basketball careers.
The Christmas with the Currys event was a heartwarming celebration of the program’s success and the tangible impact it’s had on local families. Among the highlights was a young girl from Madison Park Academy who approached Ayesha Curry with a simple, yet powerful, gesture of gratitude. “Are you Ayesha Curry?” she asked. Ayesha smiled and responded affirmatively, and the girl excitedly explained, “I ate your meals at my soccer program… I really like the burritos.”
For Ayesha, this moment was a poignant reminder of the real-world difference Eat. Learn. Play. is making. “It’s heartwarming,” Ayesha shared, “but also, it’s heartbreaking to think that a child has that awareness — that they need food to go to soccer practice. It’s something we encounter more often than we realized. But it keeps fueling our desire to do more.”
The joy was palpable as the students spent the day engaging in activities that brought smiles to their faces: painting, playing in a bounce house, meeting animals at a petting zoo, and listening to music spun by Warriors’ DJ D-Sharp. The holiday celebration also served as the perfect backdrop for the announcement of Eat. Learn. Play.’s latest initiative: renovating elementary school libraries across Oakland. Starting in 2025, Madison Park Academy will be the first school to benefit from the program’s library renovation, further underscoring the foundation’s dedication to creating spaces for learning and growth.
“We’re just trying to bring joy to kids in as many ways as possible,” Stephen Curry said, reflecting on the purpose of the event. “Not just through resources like meals, books, or school supplies, but by providing them with a fun, safe oasis. It’s been so gratifying to see the smiles, the laughter, and the feedback from teachers about the impact this has on their students.”
The efforts of Eat. Learn. Play. extend far beyond just a day of holiday celebrations. In 2024, the program provided more than $2 million in support to Oakland families, including gifts, meals, and crucial resources. Through partnerships with organizations like Safeway Foundation, the Currys are ensuring that thousands of students receive the tools they need to succeed — whether through meals, books, or school supplies. This year alone, every elementary school student in Oakland received a holiday gift, a testament to the expansive reach of the foundation’s initiatives.
“The Currys have made a transformational impact on the City of Oakland,” said John Sasaki, the director of communications for the Oakland Unified School District. “They’ve invested in our playgrounds, our libraries, and, most importantly, in our kids’ futures. By focusing on literacy, food security, and physical fitness, they are helping to create well-rounded, thoughtful leaders for tomorrow.”
Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s love for Oakland runs deep. It was in this city that Stephen honed his skills on the court and where he became a champion, both in the NBA and in the community. Though the Warriors now play their home games in San Francisco’s Chase Center, their hearts and efforts remain firmly planted in Oakland.
“Eat. Learn. Play. is our way of maintaining our presence here,” Stephen said. “Oakland is where it all started for us. This community supported me from day one, and we want to make sure we continue to give back.” Their determination to invest in Oakland’s children — to ensure they have the food, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive — reflects a commitment that has only grown stronger over time.
Ayesha Curry, too, feels a sense of responsibility to maintain this presence, noting how the community has embraced them. “Every time we go to an event, it feels like we’re just continuing a conversation with the people here. They feel like they know us, and we feel like we know them,” she shared. “It’s that consistency and connection that makes it so meaningful. It’s not just about the big events. It’s about showing up and being a part of their lives.”
As the Currys move forward, their work is far from over. They continue to dream big for Oakland’s youth — to ensure that every child has access to the food, education, and safe spaces they deserve. And as their children grow, Ayesha and Stephen are instilling in them the importance of giving back, of creating a legacy that extends far beyond the basketball court.
Through Eat. Learn. Play., Stephen and Ayesha Curry have created something truly special — a lasting, tangible impact on a community that has supported them through thick and thin. And no matter where the Warriors play, one thing is clear: the Currys’ commitment to Oakland will always remain unwavering, a beacon of hope and love for the city’s youth.