HARTFORD, Conn. — Staff and volunteers at the Wilson-Gray YMCA in Hartford’s North End are always busy the day before Thanksgiving and this year was no exception.
The team spends the day providing free Thanksgiving meals for the community, with an upwards of 300 meals with side dishes.
“We are just trying to bridge the opportunity gap in any way we can for our community here," said Diamond Wallen, youth development coordinator at the Wilson-Gray YMCA.
As volunteers lined up to dish out meals, former Bloomfield High School football star and NFL player Matt Lawrence was across the gymnasium with boxes of winter coats to distribute to any kid in need. He was in his Baltimore Ravens warmups for the event.
Lawrence runs an organization called 32 Sports, which is geared to bridge the gap between professional athletes and kids.
“Winter is coming so let's give the kids some winter coats," Lawrence said. “You really make an impact and when you see the faces of these kids lighting up and enjoying what they got, that’s what makes my day.”
"The best part for me is just engaging with the community, spreading that love and knowing that we are a should that they can lean on," Wallen said.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
RELATED:
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.