Ray Lewis Gives Local Families Thanksgiving Meals
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Thanksgiving is known for food and family, but in Baltimore, many go without that special holiday meal. Tuesday, the Ravens' Ray Lewis helped families at the dinner table. Weijia Jiang has more on a very special giveaway.
On the field, Ray Lewis is a huge threat to any competitor but off the field, he makes a huge difference in Baltimore families' lives. They say they can't imagine Thanksgiving without him.
For hours, Tyisha Larell stood in line with hundreds of other families in Baltimore.
"It's a blessing for everybody, it really is," she said.
A blessing because once they make it inside, supplies to prepare a complete Thanksgiving dinner await them. Also inside? Ray Lewis.
"The greatest reward for me is to come out here and touch one of these babies today. Just when they touch me, you feel instantly how much they really love you," Lewis said.
For seven years, Lewis' foundation has held a turkey giveaway. He's the one who hands out the birds.
He says this event is about more than giving back to the community. He wants to teach people about giving back, as well.
"My message to kids is simple. Before you leave this earth, make sure you impact someone," he said.
To get through those doors, families had to have vouchers from an agency that works with Lewis' foundation.
The meals--enough to feed 10 people--were donated in part by Walmart and Dietz and Watson.
