Minnesota Vikings players, wives serve turkey dinners in St. Paul
Minnesota Vikings players and wives spent the evening of Nov. 15 at the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul serving hot turkey dinners and playing games with local families. (View event photos.)
“Give and be generous – that is our heart and desire for whatever opportunities are provided to us,” said quarterback Kirk Cousins, who helped serve turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and other traditional favorites for more than a dozen families. “I hope the people here made some great memories together with their families.”
Additional players included defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (pictured right), kicker Greg Joseph, and long snapper Andrew DePaola. All spent time playing Jenga, cornhole, and other games with children and their parents.
“I was jumping at the chance to be here,” said Phillips, who leads a mentoring nonprofit called Harrison’s Playmakers. “I wanted to meet some people, see some smiling faces, and hear their stories – that’s what life is about.”
All of the families in attendance have one or more children enrolled in the King Family Child Development Center at the West 7th Salvation Army, which provides low-cost childcare and preschool services.
A father named Henry came to the event with his four kids, three of whom are enrolled at the center. He enjoyed the early-Thanksgiving meal because he is scheduled to work on Thanksgiving Day and won’t have time to enjoy the holiday.
“I have bills to pay,” said Henry (pictured), who works full-time and is in school to be an engineer. “I appreciate everything the Vikings did here tonight and everybody who came.”
Henry is thankful for The Salvation Army’s child development center because it provides quality care at a price he can afford. The center is made possible thanks to your donations to The Salvation Army.
“I love the place and my kids love it,” Henry said. “The staff treat the kids like they were their own.”
Cousins’ wife Julie (pictured, far right) was among many Minnesota Vikings wives in attendance. She was thrilled to connect with the community during the holidays.
“It’s so great to be back in the community after the two COVID years shut everything down,” she said. “I pray for joy for all of (these) families – that they would find joy in the simple things, and togetherness.”
The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to partner with The Salvation Army several more times during the holidays, after recent support was provided by wide receivers Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn.
This holiday season, The Salvation Army is calling on all of our supporters to Love Beyond. #LoveBeyond is a national Salvation Army campaign that encourages people to put love above all else, in order to show families in need that love exists beyond their most difficult situations – be it hunger, overdue bills, eviction, addiction, and other hardships. Join us by giving a donation, signing up to volunteer, or ringing bells at a Red Kettle.