Raiderette Mallorie, LB
Recently, WRs Jacoby Ford and Shaun Bodiford, LB Sam Williams, and Raiderettes Annie and Mallorie visited the Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland hoping to bring holiday spirit to the young patients and their families.
Child Life Specialists from the Child Life Department guided the Raiders around the hospital to visit the children. “The Child Life Department provides all the things that kids would be doing if they were not in the hospital like play and art and music. The Child Life Specialists also help prepare children for experiences that they might have in the hospital for any kind of medical procedures and help support them through that,” said Mary Kelly, the Child Life Department Manager.
Many patients eagerly awaited their opportunity to meet the Raiders. Williams visited with the children in the Intensive Care Unit. “My favorite part about today was going into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit,” said Williams. “I met this little kid named Darius who was absolutely adorable. I want to say he was about two years old and I picked him up and he wouldn’t let go. The eyes he had and was looking at me with and his smile were priceless.”
Ford visited the children on the 4th floor and shared a special moment with a child who was hearing impaired. “He was hearing impaired so I started signing to him,” said Ford. “He’s the one that stuck out to me the most and I kind of caught people off guard but I actually knew how to sign so I was excited about that.” In college, Ford studied sign language and was thrilled to be able to use the skill at the Children’s Hospital.
Raiderette Annie accompanied Ford to the 4th floor and was surprised by his ability to sign. “We walked into a room and we started talking to this boy and he’s a little hearing impaired so Jacoby Ford started [signing] to him and it was just the most breathtaking experience to be able to see that,” said Annie. “They were both talking to each other and it was really one of the highlights of my season so far.”
Bodiford was also moved by his experience at the Children’s Hospital. “This is my first time [at this Children’s Hospital] and I’m going to come back for that warm feeling you get when you see you’ve put a smile on their face just because you’re a Raider. It’s humbling,” said Bodiford.
Kelly and her staff were impressed by the impact the Oakland Raiders had on the children. “This was so special. The players and the Raiderettes were just wonderful with the kids,” said Kelly. “You could just tell they were really comfortable. When people come in, they realize that these are just kids who just happen to be injured or they have a reason that they need to be in the hospital, so it’s really special for us to have all of them come in and show that support from the community.”
The Raiders left the hospital inspired by the children and pleased that they were able to provide some joy during the holiday season.
2010 Toys for Tots
The Oakland Raiders teamed up with the United States Marine Corps during the holiday season to collect toys and donations for kids as part of the Toys for Tots program.
The Oakland Raiders teamed up with the United States Marine Corps during the holiday season to collect toys and donations for kids as part of the Toys for Tots program. In two autograph sessions, one with QB
The toys are donated to local organizations to give to children during the holiday season. “These non-profit organizations give thousands of toys so they request from us and that’s where the bulk of our toys go,” explained Marine Staff Sergeant Christopher West, assistant Toys for Tots coordinator for Alameda.
The four players were excited to help collect toys for children around Christmas time. “Marcel Reece and I are just out here to support Toys for Tots and hopefully get a lot of people from the community to come out and donate toys to help make this a merry Christmas for a lot of kids in the Bay Area,” said Wimbley. “I know this is very important for a lot of families and helps out a lot of families. We were definitely looking forward to coming out here and we’re just happy to be here.”
WR Jacoby Ford and QB Jason Campbell visited with fans and signed autographs at Toys for Tots in Hayward. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
Reece’s passion, outside of football, is giving back to kids, so participating in Toys for Tots was especially meaningful. “It means a lot because I always try to do something that I never had done for me when I was a kid and everything I do outside of football is surrounded by kids,” said Reece. “Toys for Tots screamed kids and I love kids and I love trying to help put smiles on their faces and this is a great thing for us and the Raider Nation.”
Campbell and Ford signed autographs in the first Toys for Tots event at Southland Mall in Hayward, Calif. “It’s a great cause,” said Campbell. “You’re giving to the people that are in need and giving back is always something great. It also brings the community closer and closer together. When the players and the community can unite and do something together in a function like this it goes a long ways.”
“It’s definitely a lot of inspiration to come out here and just try to make some kid’s Christmas and these fans’ Christmas too,” said Ford. “To be out here interacting with the fans is really great.”
All four players also looked forward to meeting the fans and being out in the community. “It’s amazing,” said Reece. “It’s amazing to just interact with our fans and become one with our fans. There are no fans like the Raider Nation. We love them and they love us and it’s a great bond that we have with them.”
Toys for Tots was a success because of the generosity of the fans and the support of Campbell, Ford, Reece, and Wimbley. “To be in the position to help others and put a smile on their faces during this time of year, it just means the most,” said Campbell. “For me it’s not about accepting gifts it’s about giving gifts. Christmas is always a time of giving.”