AFL participates in community holiday activities

Friday November 16, 2007

NEW YORK – Arena Football League players, coaches, owners and staff have much to be thankful for this offseason: the support of family, friends and fans around the globe. But they won’t keep their good fortune to themselves. During the coming holiday season, the AFL family will show their appreciation for the support of their devoted fans by giving back to their respective communities in a myriad of ways.
 
This weekend in Long Island, the New York Dragons will package more than 400 pounds of food and distribute it to low-income families in the Hempstead, NY area. Members of the Dragons – including WR Kevin Swayne and head coach WEYLAN Harding – will personally deliver the food to more than 700 families, providing enough food for a complete Thanksgiving dinner.
 
In order to make this feast possible, Dragons players appeared at a local Stop & Shop to collect food and donations while signing autographs for contributing fans. The families will receive a 20-pound turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, gravy, cake mix, icing and apple cider. For more information visit www.newyorkdragons.com.
 
Throughout the month of November, the Utah Blaze has been teaming up with the Home Away From Home Food Drive Coalition and the 96th Regional Readiness Army Reserve to host the “Home Away From Home” Food Drive. More than 30 schools in the Wasatch Front and all Ken Garff Automotive group locations are collecting food for the event. The school which raises the most donations will win Blaze tickets for their entire school. Last year’s drive raised 201,078 pounds of food. This year, “Home Away From Home” has set a goal of 250,000 pounds. For more information visit www.utahblaze.com.
 
Here are a few of the League-wide Thanksgiving activities that AFL players, coaches, owners and team staff are proud to be participating in: