The Redskins Charitable Foundation and Macy's on Tuesday teamed up to donate 300 coats, scarves, gloves and hats to local underserved youth at the annual "Covered For The Holidays" event.
Joining them at the Macy's Metro Center in downtown Washington, D.C., were several Redskins players – including defensive lineman Doug Worthington, wide receiver Joshua Morgan, running back Alfred Morris, punter Sav Rocca and tight ends Fred Davis and Logan Paulsen – each of whom were more than willing to offer a helping hand as the children tried on the coats.
Rocca – a father of three boys – said helping out at the event is beneficial both for the children and for him.
"It's all about the kids and the next generation coming through and helping them," Rocca said. "If they really need it, it's great to give kids something to stay warm with."
The "Covered For The Holidays" event is part of the Redskins' "Season of Sharing" campaign in which the team embarks on several initiatives to give back to the community throughout the holiday season.
Children at Tuesday's event selected coats with the Redskins players and wrote "Believe Letters" to Santa. Macy's "Believe" campaign invites children to mail letter to Santa using Macy's Santa Mail Letterboxes, and the store donates $1 for each letter mailed in the store – up to $1 million – to the Make-A-Wish Foundation ®.
Morgan – a Washington, D.C., native – said helping out at Tuesday's "Covered For The Holidays Event" was a no-brainer.
"I'm basically just doing it because that was basically instilled in me growing up as a child," he said. "My grandmother and my godmother always told me that God was going to bless you with all the blessings that God was going to bless you with; you've got to continue to bless other people.
"You never know how many lives you could change or people you could help just by showing up, talking to them."
Also included at Tuesday's event were two balloon masters who were creating all kinds of animals and various objects.
Not surprisingly, it didn't take long for an impromptu balloon "sword fight" to break out between the children and the Redskins players.
Worthington said seeing the smiles on the kids' faces makes helping out in the community on a day off very worthwhile.
"These kids, they're so impressionable at this age, and just getting out here and giving back to the community in D.C. is something that we all love to do," Worthington said. "It just makes our spirits get better; it makes the week go by faster just to see these kids and to give them a jacket and just saying 'Hi' is very important."
.
.
.
