Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Makes Thanksgiving Deliveries
11.26.08 | Football
Nov. 26, 2008
PHILADELPHIA-- During this week of giving thanks, the Temple University football team made several special deliveries on Wednesday.
Head coach Al Golden, his wife Kelly, and players-- TE Kevin Armstrong, FB Marcellous Grigsby, OL Colin Madison, DB Richard Sheppard, QB Chester Stewart, and P Jeff Wathne-- delivered 20 boxes and bags of collected canned food items to the Bethesda Project (722 North Broad Street, one of Bethesda Project's 12 residences and shelters).
"The population that we work with, there are people that are always in need of things through financial difficulties, or transition to a more independent point in their lives," said Kisha Burroughs, case manager of the Bethesda Project. "They are very appreciative of any donation. When they heard that Temple football was coming, we've had people sitting here waiting for up to two hours. Anything helps. Just the spirit and the overall sense of giving and that people are thinking of them helps the morale of the house."
The Owl players, coaches, and staff have been collecting canned food items the last two weeks during their second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to aid homeless and formerly homeless men and women through the Bethesda Project.
Then the entourage stopped by St. John's Hospice (1221 Race Street). There the players unloaded 15 full turkey dinners that serve 6-8 people each, including a 10-12 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, gravy, and pumpkin pie. The dinners were made possible through monetary donations.
"Without all the food and the time the donors and volunteers commit to St. John's, we would not be able to support the homeless the way we have for 45 years," Kevin Barr, Program Director at St. John's Hospice. "It's a real blessing to us. And we find out that those people who do volunteer feel that it's a blessing to them, too, so it's a win-win situation."
"It is with great honor that Kelly and I represent Temple University and all of the members of the Temple football family who contributed to the second annual Temple Football Food Drive," head coach Al Golden said. "Through the collective efforts of our student-athletes, managers, trainers, and all of the employees of Edberg-Olson Hall, Temple football proudly delivered food to both the Bethesda Project and St. John's Hospice here in our community. We are proud of our Owl Outreach Initiative and the impact that our student-athletes are having in the community. Furthermore, we are hopeful that the collective efforts of our football program will bring both nourishment and joy to more than 200 people this Thanksgiving season here in the City of Philadelphia."
Temple (4-7, 3-4 MAC) hosts Akron (5-6, 3-4 MAC) in the final game of the 2008 season on Friday, Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. The Senior Class will be honored during a pregame ceremony.
Temple Player quotes: Why did you want to help today?
P Jeff Wathne
"We, as Temple football players, feel so blessed to have so many things--the nice practice facility, the free stuff we get as players--and we just wanted to give back to people who don't have as much as we do."
FB Marcellous Grigsby
"I wanted to be a part of this today, because I want to help the less fortunate and the people that don't have a lot. I really like giving back to the people and seeing their smiles."
DB Richard Sheppard
"I've been a part of this all four years of my career, just giving back to the community. I'm from Philly, so I feel I have an obligation to give back to the community."
OL Colin Madison
"I just want to help people the less fortunate than us. I grew up in a house where we didn't have much food, so I'm trying to help give back."
QB Chester Stewart
"There are a lot of people out there who are less fortunate than we are, and don't have the opportunity to have a good Thanksgiving. We just wanted to give as much as we could. It feels good to give people a good Thanksgiving."
TE Kevin Armstrong
"I have had a couple family members that have had to live in shelters and giving back makes me realize how lucky I am to have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving and to have family look out for me."
About Bethesda Project
Bethesda Project serves homeless single men and women in Philadelphia through its network of seven residential and five shelter settings. In the past year, more than 2000 homeless adults received housing, shelter, meals and thousands of hours of support services at Bethesda Project as they sought to manage their physical and mental illness, recover from addiction and reclaim their dignity, self-worth and independence. Bethesda Project, founded in 1979, is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit: www.bethesdaproject.org.
