Thanksgiving ham giveaway held at Northeast High School

Football players at Northeast Lauderdale High School gave out hams to members of the community, thanks to a partnership with local businesses to help community members have a happy Thanksgiving.

Many cars lined up in front of Northeast Lauderdale High School, as 100 hams were personally handed to members of the community by the school's football players.

The Trojan football team partnered with the Olive Branch Thrift Store in Marion, with sponsorships from other local businesses, like Magnolia Marine to purchase the hams.

In order to receive a ham people had to drive up, and present a voucher they received from the Olive Branch Thrift Store earlier in the week.

Northeast’s Head Football Coach, Maurice Gowdy, and Crystal Gibbs, owner of the Olive Branch Thrift Store, told Twin States News that that they understood that many families were in need due to the pandemic, which drove them to hold this ham giveaway.

“Northeast is dear to our hearts, and we’re just trying to get out here and show these young gentlemen how to give back to the community in this time of need. As young adults, they need to do that right now, and with the pandemic going on, --honestly, everybody is in need right now,” said Crystal Gibbs, owner of Olive Branch Thrift Store.

"We want to make than connection with the community, the school, the students as well as the staff. So, anything that we can do to make that connection to bridge that gap, we’re more than willing to do, so it’s a blessing,” said Maurice Gowdy, NEHS Head Football Coach.

One Trojan football player shared that he was glad to have the opportunity to give back to his community for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“It feels good to just serve our community as a Trojan, and for young adults to give back,” said Dylan Morgan, 11th grade football player at NEHS.

Northeast’s Head Football Coach, Maurice Gowdy said that the team plans to partner with other local businesses throughout the school year, to continue to give back to the community.