NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- On Tuesday night, the Titans hosted nearly 60 children from Youth Encouragement Services (YES) at Saint Thomas Sports Park for an evening of fun, while giving their parents the opportunity to select Christmas gifts at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
In an effort to alleviate the financial burden of the holiday season, each participating parent received one Academy Sports + Outdoors gift card per child, as well as a Kroger gift card to assist with holiday meal planning. The event was primarily funded by Titans players and coaches. Each child also received a new bike and helmet courtesy of the Titans and Academy Sports + Outdoors.
While parents shopped, their children enjoyed dinner, games, and Christmas movies at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Titans players Cameron Batson, Dane Cruikshank, Dalyn Dawkins, Matt Dickerson, Rashaan Evans, Sharif Finch, Nigel Harris, Michael Jordan, Joshua Kalu, Harold Landry III, Devin Ross, Aaron Stinnie, and Damon Webb spent time with the children while they played in the indoor practice facility.
"We are thrilled to partner with YES to support and empower some deserving local families this Christmas," said Tina Tuggle, Titans Director of Community Relations. "This event would not have been possible without the support of our players and coaches who donated the money that allows us to provide a great Christmas for these families."
YES is a local non-profit dedicated to building brighter futures for Nashville's youth. YES operates two youth centers that offer educational and recreational programs as alternatives for kids ages 6-18 during after school hours and summer break. Programs effectively provide inner-city youth a safe place to go where they can engage in social, educational, recreational and cultural development.
The Tennessee Titans and Academy Sports + Outdoors partnered with Youth Encouragement Services to host a community Christmas event for 50 underserved children on Tuesday. (Photos: Gary Glenn)