The Buffalo Bills rookie players were in full force on November 22 to volunteer and serve Thanksgiving dinner to families at the Northwest Buffalo Community Center.
Approximately 300 children and families joined the Bills Toyota Rookie Club for the 10th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner event where the players also shared their personal stories about what they are thankful for. The guys mingled with the families, posed for pictures, signed autographs and some of the guys even ate a huge dinner with the families.
Buffalo Bills rookie players that visited with the families and personally served the dinner included linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, defensive back Aaron Williams, defensive back Da'Norris Searcy, running back Johnny White, defensive back Justin Rogers, wide receiver Kamar Aiken, tight end Lee Smith, linebacker Chris White, offensive lineman Mike Jasper, cornerback Doyle Miller, defensive back Joshua Nesbitt and guard Keith Williams.
"Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's time to spend with your family," said Aaron Williams. "Anytime that I can spend time with my football family, the community of my second home, and get some good eatin' in, is always on the top of my list."
The food, cooked by Ms. Juanita Anderson, is always great and this year's menu didn't disappoint the players.
"To know that Ms. Anderson cooked all this food for all these people tonight was crazy," said Johnny White. "We got to spend a little time with her and she was still just full of energy after cooking for 300 plus people. All of the food was so good too."
"My favorite food was the dressing, it was unbelievable," said Searcy. "This meal I had tonight was like authentic southern cooking! I'm really happy because I didn't think I was going to be able to get any home cooking for Thanksgiving this year, but Ms. Juanita totally took care of all the families and us players too!"
"That mac and cheese Ms. Anderson made was out of this world, amazing," said Aaron Williams.
Kelvin Sheppard was impressed with the atmosphere of the event.
"Northwest was rocking tonight and full of love and happiness," said Sheppard. "I got to see and meet a lot of new people and I'm just really happy to be a part of something so amazing during the holidays. We are so blessed to be in this position and the community of Buffalo never disappoints. Tonight was great and I love giving back."
The event had the players excited but they also made sure all the kids had some fun.
"The holidays is such a time to give, and I loved putting a smile on all the kids faces," said Searcy.
The Buffalo Bills donated the Thanksgiving dinner and the food was prepared by volunteers from the NW Buffalo Community Center.* *The Buffalo Bills Toyota Rookie Club makes numerous appearances throughout the season and enables the team's newest players to get involved and learn about the communities where their fans live.
Aaron Williams added, "For all of the people and families that couldn't come out to Northwest tonight, I wish everyone a very blessed holiday season, from our family to yours."
