Low-Income Families Experience Thanksgiving, Thanks To Chargers

SANTA ANA, CA — NFL cornerback Casey Hayward is thankful for many things this holiday season — but, most of all, for the ability to help those in need over Thanksgiving.

This week, the Los Angeles Chargers football player, through his charity Hayward's Hands Foundation, gathered a handful of his fellow Chargers in a partnership with the Orange County United Way and served a pre-Thanksgiving dinner to 150 low-income students and their families at Santa Ana's Washington Elementary School.

Working with United Way of Orange County, Hayward and Chargers teammates Desmond King II, Jaylen Watkins, Rayshawn Jenkins, Adrian Fillips, Derwin James Jr., Tevaughn Campbel, Shalom Luani and Roderick Teamer served food and drinks buffet-style to students and their families.

This school is the newest SparkPoint OC location for the Orange County United Way.

With that assistance, "families at Washington Elementary can get free support, personal financial coaching to get back on track and help stabilize their finances and housing situation," a spokesperson for United Way said.

In the community around Washington Elementary School in Santa Ana, 80 percent of the students are on a free or reduced-price lunch program, Patch was told. As many as 60 percent of those are considered "housing inefficient," living doubled or tripled up.

United Way of Orange County partnered with Hayward's Hands Foundation to lend not just a helping hand but also a leg up for those families in need.

Washington Elementary is one of Orange County United Way's Impact Hubs – a multi-generational project serving children and the parents in an effort to tackle intergenerational poverty. The goal is that these students become more secure and better able to focus on academic success.

Hayward's inspiration for his foundation began with his mother and how she helped whoever was in need, he said. Tish Hayward and her son long volunteered their time in their hometown of Perry, Georgia. She lost her battle with breast cancer in 2016. Hayward continues his mother's legacy through the gift of philanthropy.

"She was passionate about helping her community," Hayward said. "She believed that 'in order to change the world, you have to start at home.'"

Although the charity began in Hayward's home state of Georgia, he has extended the reach to his new home base of southern California.

In order to change the world, you have to start at home.

"So many families within our service areas do not know where their next meal will come from," Susan B. Parks, president and CEO of the Orange County United Way, told Patch. "We are so thankful for their giving spirit."

The United Way and Hayward's Hands share a vision of supporting communities.

The pre-Thanksgiving meal was just another opportunity to improve the lives of Orange County's young learners and their families. Hayward served along with his teammates, visiting with those present before he paused to reflect on the day.

"We wanted to lift the burden for many families this holiday season by having them enjoy and celebrate a Thanksgiving meal," he said. "I was grateful to the United Way to help carry out my mother's vision today."

Learn more at Hayward's Hands online.