Though the Easter Bunny has not yet made his way to Acadiana, young patients at Lafayette General Medical Center were treated to a visit from a special guest today.

The internationally acclaimed Harlem Globetrotters are visiting Lafayette for a March 29 exhibition.

Though their basketball tricks and skills draw big crowds each year at the Cajundome, it was their giving spirit that awed an audience today.

Globetrotter " Buckets" Blake visited a group of 11 children and their families today to deliver smiles to the ailing youngsters. Blake performed tricks, posed for photos and even taught a few the iconic spinning basketball technique.

As part of their 90th tour performing antics on the hardwood, the Globetrotters have started an initiative called The Great Assist. It's a program where the organization has pledged to spread 100 million smiles over the next decade with sportsmanship, smiles and service.

“Someone of the Globetrotters' stature brings an extreme boost in morale to the patients,” says Dr. Mihail Borissov, an internal medicine physician at LGMC. “Some of these are our most severe patients. Someone of his stature coming up here and visiting to liven their spirits means a lot, not just for the patients but for us as well. We truly appreciate it.”

The Globetrotters host a number of service programs designed for the nation's youth inlcuding character building, youth fitness and bullying prevention.

The Harlem Globetrotters take the court at the Cajundome on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. Click here for tickets to their exhibition that will prove to be fun for the whole family.

Buckets Blake at LGMC (Photo Courtesy of LGMC)
Buckets Blake at LGMC (Photo Courtesy of LGMC)
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