Dr. J, Big O, Costas Star In CT Family's Latest Charity Video

SOUTHINGTON — The Southington Family's latest movie remake in an effort to raise money for Feeding America features an all-time cast — Basketball Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Oscar Robertson, former NBA standout-turned TV analyst J.J. Reddick and broadcasting legend Bob Costas.

This time around, the video brings back the Woody Harrelson dunk scene near the end of the classic basketball film "White Men Can't Jump," complete with the textbook V-cut that starts the play. It was released this week on "Giving Tuesday."

Dr. J has a look on his face reminiscent of Rucker Park in New York City. OK, he looks cool as usual, even in amazement.

Oscar was looking like he wanted that assist and Reddick seems to be saying, "That's no 3-pointer." Costas seems to be trying to figure out how to call the play — and he's seen his share of dunks, even from the old ABA days .

The total raised as of Tuesday from the family YouTube channel and charity name — Quarantine 2020 Productions — was nearly $75,000. To subscribe and donate, click here.

Here is the video:

As the name hints, Quarantine 2020 productions emerged from the height of the coronavirus pandemic. In April of that year, Southington resident Dan Presser and his daughter, Maddie, were finding themselves bouncing off the walls. Maddie was home from preschool and, with college sports on hold last spring, Presser was on the sidelines from his job as producer of ESPN's ACC Network.

So with just a bit of video experience, Presser teamed up with Maddie to recreate a scene from the Movie "The Lion King." Presser and his wife, Beth, shared it with a few friends and relatives and the popularity began mounting.

"If was a fun way to teach kids and pass the time," Presser said back then.

Then ...

"We started getting all these views."

Soon, Quarantine 2020 Productions became a YouTube channel with scenes recreated from movies like "Pretty Woman" and "Forest Gump" and "Field of Dreams" and "Braveheart" and "The Shining" and shows like the 2020 Emmy Awards.

Presser said he then figured why not try to raise some money for a charity with all those views. He chose Feeding America.

Presser then created a donation page for Feeding America, which he has attached to the videos.

Early in in the process the donations totaled about $13,000. Then, a matching donation came in from celebrity motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

Robbins Tweeted he was touched by the gesture.

Will Smith soon joined the fray with a cameo in Independence Day:

Jimmy Kimmel then did a cameo for Good Will Hunting. Maddie's brother, Barton, soon joined the casts.

This time around, presser used his contacts from ESPN to get the sports legends involved.

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This story is part of Patch's new partnership with Feeding America. Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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