Patriots Hand Out 'Thanksgiving-In-A-Basket' On Day Off
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots spent their off day on Tuesday making sure local families would enjoy a happy Thanksgiving.
Owner Robert Kraft and over 25 Patriots players were at the Goodwill Headquarters in Roxbury giving out "Thanksgiving-In-A-Basket." Players and members from the organization passed out food baskets to 220 families Tuesday evening, a yearly tradition for the New England football team.
But it's not enough just to give out the baskets, which included turkeys donated from Willow Tree Farms in Attleboro and were overflowing with all the Thanksgiving fixings. Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and others carried the baskets out to the recipient's cars, making for many smiling faces.
"I'm excited," said one woman who had Gronkowski bring her basket to her car. "You can't ask for anything more."
"It's a great opportunity. Everyone supports us on Sundays so it's great to give back to the community and give this lovely lady a Thanksgiving dinner," said Gronkowski, quickly calling the woman his new girlfriend.
"Did you hear that [everyone]," she replied.
"Instead of just chilling at home, it's great to give back to the community," said Gronkowski. "It's a biceps workout, so I didn't have to do my curls today."
"Thanksgiving-In-A-Basket" is now in its 21st year, and began the year Kraft purchased the team.
"I think our players have started to understand that just by doing little things, how they can spread cheer and make people feel good, and that makes them feel good," said Kraft, who carried a few baskets himself. "The effort that goes on in this community on Tuesdays, the way our players give back on their day off, is really outstanding. I'm very proud of them.
"We hope this goes for their whole life and continues forever," said Kraft, "that it doesn't stop when they stop playing for the Patriots."
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