In The Nest: JZ Zaher Brings Pay It Forward Holiday Project To BGSU Community
by Medical Mutual
12/18/2023
In his first year with the Falcons, JZ Zaher is paying it forward in the BGSU Community with a project he started as a senior in high school. Now, BGSU head men's basketball coach Todd Simon and the rest of the Falcon men's basketball team are joining in on the initiative.
Q: Can you start by just giving a quick summary of what the Christmas Spectacular Initiative is for anyone who may not know yet.
Zaher: The Christmas Spectacular is a heartwarming event where Bowling Green head coach Todd Simon, the men’s basketball players, and the sheriffs of Erie and Wood County join forces to support those who've faced hardships, those who have lost a child, etc. The event aims to bring joy by also facilitating the giving of gifts to children with incarcerated mothers and fathers that will be away, fostering a sense of community and compassion during the holiday season.
Q: When did you come up with this idea and how did it originate?
Zaher: I came up with this idea my senior year of high school because I saw a lot of families that either had a mom or dad incarcerated and they couldn’t get a gift for Christmas. So, it was my goal to be their Santa Claus in a way.
Q: As a senior in high school, how did you get this initiative off the ground the first year?
Zaher: I got this off the ground on my own. I originally would go buy gifts from TJ Maxx, or I would go to a Goodwill and I would get a list from the local Sheriff of who was in need of a gift or any household item.
Q: This is your first year at BGSU. How has the Bowling Green community embraced the initiative?
Zaher: The community has really embraced it. My teammates really embraced it and Coach Simon really helped me out and if it wasn’t for him and my teammates embracing this, this wouldn’t be as big as it is!
Q: Bringing this to Bowling Green, how special has it been to see this team buy into an idea you started before you knew any of them?
Zaher: It’s kind of crazy to see my teammates fully buy into something that they barely even knew about. To see them help out and to see them be all in was just super heartwarming! From there I just knew everything was going to be even better from the previous years!
Q: Now in its third year, how has the event grown from when you first started?
Zaher: It has grown so much; so many sponsors have helped out. I’ve reached out to so many people to donate and let me tell you this is the biggest it’s been in the past two years, and it’s only going get bigger!
Q: This is a bit bigger now than just BGSU or Flint Powers High School. Who have been the most influential figures in building this initiative?
Zaher: Starting this off, the most influential person was probably my dad during the holidays every year. My dad and my family would always donate growing up. They always taught me to pick out three gifts that I got for Christmas to give to someone that needs it most and I would go give it to someone that needed it. That impacted me to start all this at a younger age, and even think about it at a younger age.
Q: Any big names involved now that fans may recognize?
Zaher: NBA Champion JaVale McGee, NBA champion Kyle Kuzma, big-time NBA vet Rodney McGruder, who’s still playing! We also have the country singer Jelly Roll!
Q: Moving forward, how do you see the event continuing to grow?
Zaher: I see the event continuing to grow by other people donating to the event. So next year, it gets even bigger and bigger! I’m hoping by next year, I’ll have gifts for more than 700 families!
Q: Any advice for anyone looking to start something similar within their own community?
Zaher: The best advice I can give is start small, don’t try to start too big! Remember it’s not about the publicity or the fame that you get out of this, it’s about you doing this to make sure that other people have a better Christmas and families that are incarcerated that their kids have a better Christmas.
Introducing the 2023 BG Men’s Basketball Christmas Spectacular????
— BGSU Men's Basketball (@BGSUMBB) December 15, 2023
Excited to partner with the Sheriff Departments of Wood and Erie County to help make this holiday season special!#FlyAroundandFindOut x #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/R9L6ZDmuOY
