Vikings WR Adam Thielen and Thielen Foundation donate Thanksgiving turkeys
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen and his wife, Caitlin, on Tuesday distributed dozens of Thanksgiving turkeys at The Salvation Army in Maplewood, Minn., as part of a 2,000-turkey donation to The Salvation Army courtesy of the Thielen Foundation. (View event photos.)
A long line of people showed up to pick up a turkey, including a local man named Joe.
“You see celebrities on TV, but for (Thielen) to take time out of his day for this says a lot about him,” he said.
The turkey Joe received is sure to come up when his family continues their annual tradition during Thanksgiving dinner.
“We go around the table and take turns saying what we are thankful for,” Joe said. “This means so much.”
The turkeys mean a lot to the community as well, according to Lt. Adam Hines, leader of the Maplewood Salvation Army.
“We express our thanks and gratitude to the Thielen Foundation for partnering with us to provide hope and inspiration, to enjoy the season of Thanksgiving we’re about to enter,” he said.
This is the fifth year the Thielen Foundation has partnered with The Salvation Army to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys and dinners.
Why do the Thielens do it?
“Seeing smiles on the faces of people and how thankful they are,” Adam Thielen said. “A meal for the holidays is really important and there’s a big need for it. I wish everybody joy and happiness this holiday season.”
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.