Giants give back on Thanksgiving as part of Team of Teams initiative
The Giants teamed with the New York Police Department, the Far Rockaway Colts, and Stop & Shop this Thanksgiving to provide more than 2,000 turkeys to families across New York City’s five boroughs as part of an NYC Friendsgiving event.
Joe Judge organized his coaching staff and players into a Team of Teams this offseason, splitting them into groups that could dedicate their time and efforts toward specific causes.
Judge’s 11-man team — which includes Darius Slayton, Nate Ebner, Dalvin Tomlinson and Graham Gano among others — has been focused on police-community relations and educational equality in Queens.
The Giants partnered with the NYPD-led Far Rockaway Colts, a program where 14 officers focus on providing positive opportunities for 117 at-risk youth through football and academia.
The Giants’ efforts began with Zoom calls between the officers and the Giants’ players and coaches to gain an understanding of the Far Rockaway community and what the program offers. It has turned into weekly mentoring calls between the Giants and boys, along with support from the NYPD officers and Far Rockaway community.
Then last week, the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau and
Far Rockaway Colts hosted their NYC Friendsgiving event to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in all five boroughs.
Initially, the goal was to provide 500 turkeys to the Far Rockaway community. With support from the Giants, Stop & Shop, and the Detective Endowment Association, the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau and Far Rockaway Colts were able to obtain more than 2,000 turkeys and expand their event to all five boroughs.
Everyday last week, the officers coordinated with precincts in each borough to provide free Thanksgiving meals to families in need.
Giants assistant strength and conditioning coach Thomas Stallworth, defensive quality control coach Mike Treier, c ter Spencer Pulley, edge rusher Oshane Ximines, linebacker TJ Brunson and safety Chris Williamson round out the Big Blue team.
Great work by the Giants.
NOTES
Giants rookie slot corner Darnay Holmes also gave back this Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, Holmes and Shaniece Flynn, founders of Chosen 1 Team, offered loved and Thanksgiving meals to Yonkers families with the help of fellows and mentors of the New York State My Brother’s Keeper initiative.