The Redskins Blog

Players Deliver At Annual Harvest Feast

The 9th Annual “Harris Teeter-Redskins Harvest Feast” (presented by Ryan Homes) was another rousing success, as the Redskins helped package and deliver a Thanksgiving experience to 3,500 area homes.

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Redskins players Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Josh Wilson, Brandon Banks, Willie Smith, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Brandyn Thompson, Doug Worthington, Niles Paul, Erik Cook, and Lorenzo Alexander helped out with the event.  They did everything from organize the handouts, to handing out the final packages, to delivering them to area families.

Neither lousy weather, nor beltway traffic–not even injuries–could keep the players away today.  Paul, who is recovering from a turf toe injury, strapped on his favorite slippers and loaded the delivery trucks.

“I’ve actually never been able to participate in anything as big as a turkey giveaway before, and it’s great to be handing them out for free,” Paul said, strapped into the front seat of the delivery truck.  ”It’s a special moment in my life, because I grew up with so many brothers and sisters.  I had a humongous family and we always didn’t get what we wanted, so being able to do this and get people what they need, that’s really important to me.”

All told, the Redskins handed out 55 tons of fresh food through Operation Blessings, but I didn’t need to remind Paul of that.

“Yeah, I believe that,” he said with a big smile.  ”It was getting pretty heavy lifting it into the truck.”

But the smiles of the families that came to pick up the food, made it all worth it:

Overall, players were excited to share in the holiday cheer, and tweeted their thoughts out during the day:

Headed to Renaldo Wynn's charity event @ Target and FedEx for @WRFoundation thanksgiving giveaway! So humbled to bless others. God is good!—
Lorenzo Alexander (@onemangang97) November 22, 2011

On my American Gangster Frank Lucas today passing out turkeys lol…but seriously always good to give back and help the community #grateful—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) November 22, 2011

Getting ready to hand out these turkeys for Thanksgiving, got to meet Santa Claus along the way… Day just keeps getting better!—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) November 22, 2011

@Camuglia99 I actually went another round after everyone had finished…I was having a good time! Where were u when we were bagging turkeys?—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) November 22, 2011

Had a great time at the Redskins Harvest Fest. Handed out so many turkeys! Honored and grateful that I could give back to our wonderful fans—
Erik Cook (@ErikMCook) November 22, 2011