Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Atlanta Falcons rookie Jalon Walker is planning to host a coat and toy drive back in his hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina, on December 23. But first, he took time to give back to his adopted home of metro Atlanta. On Tuesday morning, Walker helped distribute bags of nonperishable food and wrapped gifts to local families in Tucker.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Wearing a navy blue sweatsuit and a wide smile, Walker greeted people and posed for photos in between filling trunks outside of Rehoboth Baptist Church. He told The Atlanta Voice that giving back brings “a smile to my heart.”
“It’s always great to give back. It never gets old,” Walker said. “Seeing that smile on people’s faces, especially this time of year.”
Along with the host organization, United Health Care Community Plan of Georgia, Walker, staff members, and volunteers served over 250 people.
Falcons mascot Freddie the Falcon and a pair of Falcons cheerleaders were also on hand to help.
Walker said he wanted to finish his rookie season on a high note. Asked if winning the final three games of the year would be an efficient high note, Walker said, “That’s my goal. That’s how I want to end the last chapter of my rookie season.” Walker, a former University of Georgia standout, has 5.5 sacks and 21 tackles this season.
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Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell began his career covering sports and news in Atlanta nearly two decades ago. Since then he has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Southern Cross…
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