Ish Smith and Denver Nuggets teammates visited the Johnson Boys & Girls Club for their holiday party.

The Denver Nuggets “crashed” a holiday party for young people Tuesday, visiting the Johnson Boys & Girls Club to share some joy during the Christmas season.

The partnership has been an annual tradition but was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to Matthew Goodrid, corporate philanthropy manager with the club.

Goodrid said the team reached out to help create the event for this year, saying that some of the Nuggets players wanted to “bring a good holiday spirit” to the club and offer some holiday cheer to the youths who visit it.

“It’s really exciting because we haven’t been able to do this for two years,” Goodrid said. “To have some of the Nuggets players come, it was super exciting for the kids. They were talking about it all week.”

At the party, about 50 young people took part in festive candle-making, made ornaments, decorated cookies, and wrapped presents, as Nuggets players Ish Smith, Christian Braun and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lent a helping hand.

“It was so much fun. Any time we can get out in the community and give back, (it’s fun),” Smith said. “I know it’s the (NBA Cares) Season of Giving right now, but we need to be doing this every day, all day, some way.”

“It was awesome, just getting to put a smile on those kids’ faces. We really enjoyed our time (at the party),” Braun said. “I really just enjoyed being here and giving back, especially around this time of year.”

Braun noted he enjoyed the chance to make ornaments; Smith highlighted the cooking-making process.

Adam Stowe, community relations coordinator with the Denver Nuggets, said the team and the Boys & Girls Club have established a long-standing partnership.

As part of the NBA 75th anniversary legacy project, the team renovated the learning center and lounge at the club, including adding Nuggets branding.

“So that’s why we wanted to come and crash their holiday party with a bunch of Nuggets players,” Stowe said. “And gift them an XBox and some controllers for their team lounge.”

Ish Smith, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Christian Braun with some of the Boys and Girls Club kids.

The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, which includes the Johnson branch, provides “comprehensive after school and summer programming to thousands of kids a year” across 20 locations, according to the organization.

They seek to provide the young people with “safe spaces to grow, develop, and play; access social-emotional learning support; build relationships with peers, mentors, and trusted adults; and participate in fun and educationally enriching activities,” according to their website.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver changes lives. From the first day of kindergarten to high school graduation, we help kids succeed in school, develop good character and citizenship, and live healthy lives,” officials with the organization said. “(We) believe everyone plays a part in the success of our city – from kids and families to city leaders and CEOs. You belong at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.”