Magic Johnson talks with fans Thursday at The Chattanoogan before speaking at a dinner to benefit the Helene DiStefano Fund.
Tyler Massey, Jack Feagans, Reid Dotson and Will Jumper, from left, wait to meet Magic Johnson Thursday at The Chattanoogan.
Michelle and Mike McDougal, left, talk with Brenda Gwin, second from right, and Mary Chandler Gwin Thursday at The Chattanoogan at an event for the Helene DiStefano Fund.
Michael Smith, left, talks with Dominic Guagenti, Tucker Smith and Johnathon Romero, from left, Thursday at The Chattanoogan at an event for the Helene DiStefano Fund.
Shareef Smith, Paul Webb and Marcus Johnson, from left, chat Thursday at The Chattanoogan at an event for the Helene DiStefano Fund.
Tammy, right, and William Ellis put raffle tickets into a bucket Thursday at The Chattanoogan at an event for the Helene DiStefano Fund.
David Meredith, right, and Tommy Jennings look at cards bearing Magic Johnson’s photo Thursday at The Chattanoogan at an event for the Helene DiStefano Fund.Magic Johnson always could deliver an assist.
In town for Thursday night’s “Magic for Moms” fundraiser to benefit the Helene DiStefano Fund, Johnson helped raise $20,000 in less than 10 minutes by turning his earlier pledge of four seats each for two Los Angeles Lakers games right behind their bench into eight seats.
When that brought a total of $16,000 from two bidders, he threw in four seats he personally owns at midcourt at the Staples Center to earn the final $4 grand.
“An amazing man,” said Dr. Deborah DiStefano, whose charity helps pay the bills for needy mothers with cancer. “We’ve never been able to raise $20,000 before.”
Clearly, DiStefano’s charity was a big reason for the successful evening, whether Magic had spoken or not.