Shaq Makes Surprise Visit To Nursing Home
BOSTON (CBS) - Patients at the Spaulding North End Nursing and Therapy Center are used to getting visitors, but none are as big as the surprise guest they had Monday night.
Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal, all 7-1 of him, was a surprise guest for the Center's Celtics Viewing Party, visiting with about 30 patients. Ranging from ages 17-102, they shared Pizza and stories while watching the Celtics play the New Jersey Nets.
The loss aside, everyone had a great time.
"It makes me happy to see the smiles and laughter of the great fans of the Boston Celtics," O'Neal said. "One of the patients at the home had been an elevator operator at the TD Garden for over 40 years and she told me stories about Red Auerbach riding in her elevator."
Shaq made the visit in response to fan mail he received from an elderly man.
"Shaq's visit truly brightened the spirits of everyone at Spaulding North End and is something that will mean a great deal to all of us for a very long time," Spaulding Rehabilitation Network President David Storto . "We want to thank Shaq and the Boston Celtics organization for being so generous with their time and supporting the community in such a meaningful way."
