Avery Bradley helped local families with the Feed the Children program. (Celtics photo)

This week the Celtics took some time out from preparing for next season to give back to the Boston community.

Rookie Avery Bradley was on hand at the State House to help the Celtics and Massachusetts State Lottery honor the 2009-10 Heroes Among Us recipients. Celtics legend Satch Sanders, team co-owner Robert Epstein and Massachusetts State Treasurer Tim Cahill also recognized the recipients, whose acts range from saving lives to helping the less fortunate. Over 550 individuals have been presented with the Heroes Among Us award since the program was established by the Celtics 12 years ago.

Later in the week, Bradley, Brian Scalabrine, members of the Celtics organization, and a group of volunteers distributed approximately 40,000 pounds of food and essentials to help local families through Feed The Children (FTC) at the Harborside Community Center in East Boston and the Holland Community Center in Dorchester. FTC’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan has helped more than 120,000 families in cities affected by the economy.

“I feel very fortunate to be in the position where I can come out into the Boston community and help these families in need,” said Bradley. “Whenever I have the opportunity to donate my time to a great cause like this, I plan on doing it.”

See below for more photos, courtesy of the Celtics.

Bradley and Satch Sanders honor the 2009-10 Heroes Among Us recipients

Brian Scalabrine lent a hand with Feed the Children