NFL Players Spread Holiday Cheer for Our Young People at Covenant House
COVID-19 protocols did not stop a group of caring NFL players from taking a time out in the middle of their season to make the holidays brighter for young people at seven Covenant House sites across the country.
The 2021 “A December to Remember” holiday campaign was led by Brandon Copeland of the Atlantic Falcons, winner of the NFL Player Association’s Alan Page Award for outstanding community service. Brandon and his wife, Taylor, connected NFL players to Covenant House programs in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Newark, New Orleans, and Chicago. The players then provided gift cards totaling over $52,000 to Covenant House programs, fulfilling holiday wish lists and bringing smiles to hundreds of young people this season.
Originally planned as in-person events, COVID-19 protocols meant that Brandon and his team had to call an audible and switch to virtual gatherings across the country. But the gift cards arrived in time for the holidays and our young people at Covenant House felt the love and support from the NFL family.
“The smiles and the joy in the eyes of our young people was incredible,” said Dr. Alie Redd, executive director of Covenant House Georgia. “In Atlanta, our young people thought they were going to a volunteer project at a seniors home and were excited about spreading holiday cheer. I think a few almost fainted and many were brought to tears when they discovered they were the recipients of holiday cheer because they were willing to give to others. We are so grateful to the NFL players for opening their hearts to our youth in so many locations. You truly brought a gift of love and compassion to so many in need of just that.”
Our thanks go out to Brandon, Taylor, the Beyond the Basics, Inc. Foundation team, and all the NFL players who took time in the middle of their season to bring joy to our young people. Players supporting Covenant House included: Brandon Copeland, Keith Smith, and Emmanuel Ellerbee (Atlanta Falcons); Charles Leno, Jr. and Ereck Flowers (Washington Football Team); Brennan Scarlett and Jason McCourty (Miami Dolphins); Blake Cashman (NY Jets); Jon Harrison (NY Giants); Thomas Morstead and Deion Jones (currently on the Atlanta Falcons but donated to Covenant House New Orleans due to their previous ties to the city); and James Daniels (Chicago Bears).
