Written by Greg Collier
Dallas, TX- Taking time out for the community, Zaxby’s Bowl participants, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Illinois fighting Illini football teams are used to fighting on the gridiron, but today after their press conference, the teams gave back by giving out 25 lbs. boxes of food and necessities at the CitySquare Opportunity Center “one of the most effective social services organizations in Texas addressing hunger, housing, health and hope”. Football is the reason they are in town but today they had a special purpose fighting hunger. It did my heart well to see that they didn’t just pass out food they actually took the time to meet some homeless or life challenged individuals lingering around on the corner street.
I had no idea of what was happening, there was some chatting amongst the organizers, then the players, coaches and leaders starting walking out of the open gate towards the street, so I followed, as did other members of the media. ”. It was a simple visit they just walked right up to say hello and provided them with some hygiene packets of daily essential items that most of us take for granted such as tooth paste, a tooth brush, mouthwash etc.
The life challenged gentlemen seemed to pucker up with spirited smiles and some chatter. They asked simple questions like the name of the teams and when was the game. One of them said he like the Cowboys. It was a brief light on a dreary day of misting rain at 1610 Malcolm X Blvd. a short drive from the Historic Cotton Bowl Stadium host site for the football game.
One gentleman made it all worthwhile by making a genuine heartfelt statement “yawl made me feel better today”.
Amazing what a simple hand shake, a hello, and a little attention can do for someone experiencing difficult times or lack of understanding. Seen but not heard, there but not there, as we all seem to drive by in our busy lives wondering how and why? Instead of secretly thinking these questions could we stop and spread a little cheer. I am fortunate enough to travel to wonderful cities doing something I love covering football games, but I am reminded that in each city I see people standing on the streets holding signs displaying words of need. These gentlemen had no signs nor did they drive up for donated foods on the other side of the building.
I am reminded of my favorite song “Michael Jacksons’ Man in the Mirror” lyric who am I to be blind pretending not to see their needs. Today all their needs weren’t met but it was like Santa Claus showing up with a gift of a little attention.
It was the second year for the partnership between the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl and CitySquare. Surely the bowl game offers and economic boost to the community, it’s nice to see they didn’t forget about boosting spirits through social impact in the community that hosts the game.
Now I understand the name of the game Heart of Dallas Bowl. How many of us would have enough HEART to say hello to the homeless and the neediest. Way to have a heart to those that may be forgotten during this festive season of Christmas and Bowl Games. No physical gifts needed just acknowledgement truly the most valuable things in life are not the things we purchase with currency instead the gift of love and care for one another it’s called the human spirit.
I had no idea of what was happening, there was some chatting amongst the organizers, then the players, coaches and leaders starting walking out of the open gate towards the street, so I followed, as did other members of the media. ”. It was a simple visit they just walked right up to say hello and provided them with some hygiene packets of daily essential items that most of us take for granted such as tooth paste, a tooth brush, mouthwash etc.
The life challenged gentlemen seemed to pucker up with spirited smiles and some chatter. They asked simple questions like the name of the teams and when was the game. One of them said he like the Cowboys. It was a brief light on a dreary day of misting rain at 1610 Malcolm X Blvd. a short drive from the Historic Cotton Bowl Stadium host site for the football game.
One gentleman made it all worthwhile by making a genuine heartfelt statement “yawl made me feel better today”.
Amazing what a simple hand shake, a hello, and a little attention can do for someone experiencing difficult times or lack of understanding. Seen but not heard, there but not there, as we all seem to drive by in our busy lives wondering how and why? Instead of secretly thinking these questions could we stop and spread a little cheer. I am fortunate enough to travel to wonderful cities doing something I love covering football games, but I am reminded that in each city I see people standing on the streets holding signs displaying words of need. These gentlemen had no signs nor did they drive up for donated foods on the other side of the building.
I am reminded of my favorite song “Michael Jacksons’ Man in the Mirror” lyric who am I to be blind pretending not to see their needs. Today all their needs weren’t met but it was like Santa Claus showing up with a gift of a little attention.
It was the second year for the partnership between the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl and CitySquare. Surely the bowl game offers and economic boost to the community, it’s nice to see they didn’t forget about boosting spirits through social impact in the community that hosts the game.
Now I understand the name of the game Heart of Dallas Bowl. How many of us would have enough HEART to say hello to the homeless and the neediest. Way to have a heart to those that may be forgotten during this festive season of Christmas and Bowl Games. No physical gifts needed just acknowledgement truly the most valuable things in life are not the things we purchase with currency instead the gift of love and care for one another it’s called the human spirit.