Titans players continue holiday spirit with community events

! Vince Young helped make Christmas happy for this boy.

NASHVILLE, TN, Dec. 24, 2008 — Titans players continued to spread the Holiday cheer this week with two very special events.

The third annual "Christmas Giving with VY" was hosted by Titans QB Vince Young at the Cool Springs Wal-Mart Store Tuesday evening. A total of forty young guests from the 18th Avenue Family Enrichment Center, Centerstone Residential Homes and foster children from the Tennessee Dept. of Children's Services were all taught what is truly important to Young at Christmas time.

"The night was very meaningful to be because it taught the kids that it is more important to give than receive," said Young. "I got them a $100 gift card and asked that they buy presents for their parents and those they love first and then, if they had any money left, they could shop for themselves."

! These children were all smiles hanging with VY.

One young girl fully grasped Young's message! After shopping for her grandparents and parents, Myah Fuqua then bought a present for herself. Having money remaining on her card, she showed how much she listened to Young earlier and what a big heart she possessed by wanting to spent her final $10 on a present for Young!

Not knowing what he wanted, she returned the card with a $10 balance to give to Vince as a Christmas present from her. The card was returned to Mike Mu, Young's marketing manager, who gave the card to Young on Wednesday.

Titans Director of Player Development Tina Tuggle also attended the event.

"Hearing what Vince was doing to teach kids the importance of giving inspired me to do the same with my 10 year old," said Tuggle. "This really focuses on the spirit of Christmas and teaches the old saying of it's better to give than to receive. I saw those involved happy to be able to do something for their loved one and kudos to Vince for coming up with such a wonderful gift of giving."

! Titans players Michael Griffin and Chris Johnson pose with children during their shopping spree at Walmart.

"It was a great time because I got to walk around with the kids and talk to them about what they were buying for others," said Young, who was joined by teammates Biren Ealy and Quinton Ganther at the event. "Christmas at my house as a kid was cool. We didn't have much but the little that we had, we were very thankful for. It was a blessing to have a present under the tree."

And thanks to "Christmas Giving with VY" there are a lot of presents under the tree for these youngsters and their families! Young also "adopted" several local families this week and with the help of Shoe Carnival, gave all of the family members new shoes plus clothes, food, household necessities and toys for the children!

Asked how he would spend Christmas day, Young stated he would likely spend a quiet day at home. "I would like to be with my family but they understand that I'm working and taking care of my responsibilities right now."

Earlier this week, Titans Michael Griffin, Chris Johnson and LenDale White took part in a special holiday event at Roberts & Lyons Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac and GMC in Lewisburg. The dealership hosted 52 needy children at a Christmas party with the players before taking the group on a shopping trip to Wal-Mart.

! LenDale White poses with this child, who was happy to go on a Walmart shopping spree with Titans players.

Each of the 52 kids were given a $100 gift card with the opportunity to shop for family members and themselves.

"This was a great opportunity for the Titans players to come to Lewisburg and help our company give back to community that supports the Titans so much," said Richard Lyons, the dealership's owner/operator. "All three players enjoyed the night with our kids and I'm very thankful to the players who came and showed the kids here so much love."

Yes, "tis the season" to show love as once again, Titans players continue to have an impact off the field by giving so much of their time and resources.

To see the Titans online Christmas card, please click here