The holiday season is quickly approaching; it is a time of food, fellowship and fun, but for far too many in the Greater Pittsburgh area some will be lacking one of those—the food. In an effort to give back to the community, Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Will Johnson and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank teamed up to host the Will Johnson & Friends Thanksgiving Celebration, Nov. 11, at the Hazelwood Senior Center, located on Second Avenue in Hazelwood.
“I didn’t grow up as fortunate (as I am now); I’m in a position now where I can give back, so that’s what I’m doing,” said Johnson. “For me and my wife it’s a big deal to help these people out.”
Johnson, along with some of his teammates, distributed turkeys and all the holiday meal “fixin’s” to 200 low-income families from the Hazelwood and surrounding areas of Pittsburgh. Families selected to participate in yesterday’s event were participants of Hazelwood food pantries located at the Hazelwood YMCA and St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church.
Russell Lighty, of East Pittsburgh, said he was thankful for and appreciative of Johnson and the Food Bank’s generosity.
“It’s a great relief because this is letting me know (that) even though they’re making money, they’re putting something back into the community for those who are less fortunate, like myself,” he said. When asked what he’d like to say to Johnson and the Food Bank, he replied, “Thank you and keep up the good work, and God Bless them.”
ohnson said he decided to get involved and give back after helping at former Steelers teammate LaMarr Woodley’s give-back event last year.
“Just to see the joy on the people’s faces and the smiles on their faces; making a difference in the community is something I wanted to do,” he said.
While neither Johnson nor Lighty were surprised by the number of people in need, Johnson said he was surprised and excited about the number of volunteers who lent a helping hand.
When asked about the importance of sports figures reaching out to the community, Johnson said, “With a lot of negativity going around the league right now, I would first off tell people that there are a lot of positive guys, role models, doing positive things.”
He continued, “If you’re in a position to give back-then pay it forward.”
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