HOUSTON – Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, hundreds of Houston families in need got a helping hand from the C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans charitable foundations.
Teaming up over the weekend, they provided meals, including turkeys, to roughly 250 families. They also delivered meals to residents of Cuney Homes, a public housing development in the Third Ward.
The mission: to give hope and nourishment at holiday time.
“The community coming together with these wonderful organizations all coming together just to show the community that we care, they’re seen, they’re heard, and we just wanted them to feel that we care, and the C.J. Stroud Foundation, that’s really what we’re all about,” said Kimberly Stroud, Stroud’s mom and the president of the foundation. “C.J.’s not just a football player on the field, he’s a humanitarian at heart, and this is what our foundation stands for. I’m just very grateful to every organization that’s coming together and just giving their time.
“Just seeing CJ, he’s the face of self-determination. Every time he’s knocked down, he gets right back up again. I’ve seen him go through so many things, but every obstacle, he comes out shining. I think that’s what he wants to show the city of Houston: come out shining. Every storm, every hurricane, the city has come out shining so bright. And I’m just happy to be a part of the city.”
C.J. Stroud signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans. A smiling Ryans handed out boxes of food personally at the Houston Texans YMCA.
In addition to free turkeys, families received Thanksgiving meal essentials such as sides and other items.
Jamila Ryans, DeMeco’s wife, city of Houston controller Chris Hollins, Bun B, Texans YMCA executive director Kashala T. Pope all were on hand to participate in the event, a joint effort between the Stroud and Ryans foundations supported by Trill Burger’s, Advantage BMW, Southwestern National Bank and Second Servings of Houston.
“The holidays remind us how important it is to show up for one another,” Hollins said. “Through partnership and neighborly support, we’re helping Houston families gather, give thanks and look ahead with hope. Look, if Houston is known for one thing, it’s about coming together and supporting each other in time of need.
“And so as we go into this holiday season, we want to make sure that there’s no family that is left without food on the table. There’s no person that has to go through this holiday season alone. And so we’re heading into what’s going to be a happy Thanksgiving, and we’re thrilled to be a part of making sure that everybody has a happy Thanksgiving.”
Added Bun B: “This community has fed me for the last 33 years. They fed my family for the last 33 years. From my point of view, I believe that we all have a civic and a moral duty to our respective communities. This is obviously the time and there’s a need to feed people.”
The Texans, after an 0-3 start, have climbed to a winning record at 6-5 under Ryans’ direction and leadership after winning AFC South division titles the previous two seasons. They’re competing for a playoff spot again.
“I think my husband’s biggest reason for coaching is to bless others,” Jamila Ryans said. “Football is a platform for him. In that platform, he is going to bless others. He’s going to spread the gospel. He is going to raise men, build men. And it’s not about the X’s and O’s. The X’s and O’s are the vehicle through which he’s able to do these things. I’m extremely proud of our team. I’m very proud of my husband.
“I’ve watched him this year really grow into the role and become a leader, the leader that we all know he could be. He’s had to shift. He’s had to continue to uplift and encourage the building and the players. Just watching him do that has been the most amazing thing for my family because he’s been an excellent example for our four kids. I have watched him grow as a leader and that has been the most beautiful thing.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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