Wide Receiver Steve Smith Sr. hosts Ravens 10th Annual Holiday Helpers

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Baltimore Ravens Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. hosted the 10th annual Holiday Helpers event Monday, December 15, 20014, at the Target Store in Owings Mills. Several Ravens teammates including attended including, Lardarius Webb; Marshall Yanda; Sam Koch; Brandon Williams; Jon Urschel; Kamar Aiken and Kapron Lewis Moore. The Ravens cheerleaders took part in the festivities where they served as personal shoppers for children in the Baltimore area. The Ravens team mascot Poe and a DJ were also at the event.

In addition to the shopping spree, the children received a pre-shopping pizza party donated by Papa John’s and cake afterwards. The kids also received a Holiday Helpers t-shirt, a Ravens jersey and a gift bag containing items from the Ravens and Target. Going on a shopping spree with the players was the highlight of the kids’ night.

The children bought everything from Xbox games to tablets and some of them even purchased books. Some used the shopping spree as an opportunity to buy Christmas presents for their parents or siblings. The players were charged with the task of keeping a tally of the amount that the children spent. Each child was given a $200 spending limit. A few of them went over the limit but the players where glad to pick up the tab for them.

Steve Smith Sr. seemed like he had just as much fun as the kids, possibly even more. He rode a mountain bike around Target while the children he took shopping chased him through the aisles. Smith Sr. even put on Batman robe and a funny winter hat while they paid for their gifts.

“We had the opportunity to run around Target with no rules. We rode bikes and had fun while we shopped today,” Smith said. “The Ravens foundation does a tremendous job of infusing us into the community and giving us a chance to be ourselves. This gives us an opportunity to show the fans what we are really like underneath the facemasks. They can identify us and see us as regular people.”

Lardarius Webb was also on hand to take part in the shopping spree. Webb has been a fixture in the Baltimore community since he joined the Ravens. He spoke about what made him become so involved. “My mom, dad, my grandmom just instilled love and respect in me.” Webb said. “, Maryland I fell in love with giving back to the kids. They are our future and I just want everyone to succeed. I try to give them everything that I can to help them succeed. Being here and letting them see me, it felt good.”

He says that his favorite part was getting to “kick it with the children.” He also said that he liked how they wanted to get things for their mothers and other people that they were thinking about.

Thanks to the Ravens, the kids will be able to unwrap some gifts they truly wanted, but their parents may not have been able to afford. The shopping spree was a great event that allowed the kids to spend quality time with the guys that they watch on Sundays.