'Tis the season of giving, and Commanders players up and down the roster have taken the time to make things merry and bright around the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Check out what our guys had to say about some of these holiday events over the last few weeks:
Josh Johnson supports Capital Area Food Bank's Holiday Mobile Market
Ever the philanthropist, quarterback Josh Johnson visited the Capital Area Food Bank earlier in the year during one of his many outings in the community. Upon leaving that visit, he let the organization know he'd love to be involved in upcoming opportunities. When CAFB's Holiday Mobile Market came around, they knew who to call.
"The community area they are serving, it's a community that's going through a lot, and it reminds me a little bit of home," he said. "So, I always just try to rub elbows with people who grew up similar and just be a light," the quarterback said.
Johnson spent time helping distribute groceries to folks throughout Wards 7 and 8, playing with kids and listening to stories of what community members have overcome.
"It was a great day. It was awesome," he said. "It was a blessing to just be a part of it.
Rookies visit patients at Children's National
Dressed in elf and reindeer costumes, the Commanders' rookies spent an afternoon bringing light to patients at Children's National Hospital in Virginia. The festive-looking group passed out gift bags and even busted out a carol or two to patients ranging from babies to teens.
"Just being able to put a smile on all those kids' faces was really special," Jaylin Lane said of the event.
Jayden Daniels hosts bike giveaway for Boys and Girls Club kids at Union Station
The 2024 Rookie of the Year teamed up with Raising Cane's to give bikes and helmets to 100 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. Daniels, who has hosted a version of the event since his days at LSU, said it meant a lot to "give back to the kids and see how happy they are." The children in attendance were certainly left delighted and impacted by the quarterback's Santa Clause moment.
"I was very excited because I never rode one, so I wanted to ride it," said one boy to ABC7.
"I want to say thank you so much, and I'm so proud of this bike," a young girl added.
Sam Hartman hangs out with kids at Ronald McDonald House
The quarterbacks have been busy in the community! Second-year signal caller Sam Hartman has been involved at D.C.'s Ronald McDonald House all season and wouldn't pass up a holiday opportunity to spend time with children whose illnesses have required extended stays. Donning a Santa hat, Hartman hung out with kids and parents, passed out toys and did crafts.
"Holidays are about family and community," Hartman said. "I just felt like it was a good opportunity to show that there are people that care about them, people that are supporting them."
Deatrich Wise partners with JD Sports for shopping spree
More children from the local Boys & Girls Club were given gifts thanks to an event hosted by defensive end Wise in partnership with JD Sports. Approximately 20 kids came out for the occasion with each getting $250 to spend on clothes and shoes.
"I think stuff like this will just always stay with kids," Wise said. "My motto is, 'As you impact and empower people, they go on and do the same for someone else.' I was once a kid and someone did that for me, and it's my job to pay it forward. This event I think gave them the opportunity to be seen, to feel like they are loved, to shop for themselves and loved ones, and to just do what they do best -- smile and be kids."
Jeremy Reaves and Deebo Samuel Jr. help kids shop at Target in Reston, Virginia
Reaves and Samuel also got in on the shopping spree action, jumping into help at a holiday event hosted by Northwest Federal Credit Union and the Commanders' Charitable Foundation. Elementary school students were treated to a $200 gift card to use at Target in Reston, Virginia. The store added to the festive vibes by setting up a hot chocolate bar and a gift-wrapping station for the kids. Veteran Reaves felt it was important to show up, especially during this time of year, stating "you just don't know the impact one of those encounters can have on those kids."
"I just walked around with a lot of the kids and helped them pick out their stuff. The coolest part about it was those kids didn't even shop for them. They shopped for their family and people that lived in their home, so you talk about humility and things being bigger than just yourself. These are children who aren't thinking about themselves when they have every opportunity to," Reaves said. "So that was a very cool moment for me to realize -- selflessness has no bounds. It has no age. These kids, man, they embody it."
