GIANTS 101

Just about everyone with some football knowledge knows what the New York Giants do during the NFL season on the field. What is not as well-known is that almost as much is done by the team off the field – out of uniform blues.

The Giants have always been a proud franchise and always will be. What many don’t know is that the make it mandatory for their players to donate part of their off time to giving back to the community. Many players have that “giving back” become such a part of them, that they continue to give back even after their Big Blue departure.

The Giants have several areas and people of the community that they address and focus on. Youth, the less fortunate/ in-need, the ill and our nation’s military (owner Wellington Mara served in the Navy during World War II) are just a few that receive visits and share time as well as donations from the G-Men. Organizations such as: The United Way, Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics, and NFL’s Play 60 are only a handful of causes that are annually aided. Players as well as coaches assist in local food banks, illiteracy programs, health-related organizations/hospitals and youth programs in order to help raise money and sometimes more importantly, awareness for them.

Each player and/or coach may even choose to create their own charity of special interest to focus upon. Head Coach Tom Coughlin has his Jay Fund. Justin Tuck battles illiteracy with his R.U.S.H campaign. Kevin Gilbride donates time to raising awareness and monies for Polycystic Kidney Disease/Research. Chris Canty continues his focus on youth in need. David Tyree works to assist poverty-stricken youth. The list can go on for days.

The Giants’ players maintain a special role in the surrounding New York communities and service them through continued events and fundraisers. Donations are collected through golf and bowling outings as well as appearances at smaller outings. Mostly through spreading awareness, they help to raise money and bring attention for the public to do the same. Collection drives (for food, clothes and toys) are prepared throughout the season and fans are encouraged to participate before certain games.

The franchise itself also has The Giants Foundation – a non-profit organization founded by the New York Football Giants to assist charitable and youth-related causes throughout the greater New York and New Jersey area. Many different events (like the golf outings) are utilized to help show the foundation’s support and increase fundraising efforts. They have two areas of focus besides local causes: GameOn! – which supports the game of football at a proletarian level by providing financial assistance to local youth and high school football teams and My Sister's Place "Giants Courage House" – which is a domestic violence shelter for women and their children that includes providing financial assistance and bringing awareness about domestic violence and date-abuse.

Whether it’s donning aprons and handing out food at soup kitchens, being present at blood drives or organ donation rallies, visiting sick children at local hospitals or paying homage to and empowering the country's injured service members, the Big Blue teammates are always proving to be Giants -with Giant hearts- on and off the field.

Also…

• Be sure to "like" Giants 101 on Facebook and to follow Giants 101 on Twitter
• Text "oneteam" to 20222 to donate $10 to the One Team for the Lights charity initiative.

Tags: Chris Canty, David Tyree, Football, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New York, New York Giants, NFL, Tom Coughlin

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