With the help of Roquan Smith and the Ravens, Christmas came early for 60 local students.
The 19th annual Holiday Helpers event was hosted by Smith last week as he donated $200 to each student for a shopping spree at the nearby Target. The fourth-grade students were all in the first year of Bridges Baltimore, a year-round program that's supports the success of students in Baltimore City schools, starting at age 9 and working with them through college.
Thirty-nine Ravens players along with numerous cheerleaders and other staff members participated in the event. Each player was assigned a student and helped them shop ahead of the holidays.
"Having the opportunity to get the guys together, Roquan putting it on, to give these kids an opportunity to get out here and do some shopping, it's an exciting time," center Tyler Linderbaum said. "It's an exciting time of the year [with] the Ravens trying to give back to the community."
The students came from The St. Paul's Schools, Gilman School, and The Bryn Mawr School for the event. Before the children got to the event, Ysem Brown, who is the Bridges site direction at St. Paul's, revealed the Target trip would involve shopping with Ravens players, and it was pure joy from there.
"It's immeasurable. It's an experience that the kids never forget," Brown said. "For our students, it really lets them know that they are supported in this city."
Before the students arrived at Target, Brown thought it was important to deliver a lesson about the event. Brown explained how the Ravens offensive line protects Lamar Jackson and keeps him safe, and he wanted the students to think of their own offensive line when shopping.
Each student carried an index card with the names of family members written on it to remind them who protects them. Brown echoed the message to "make sure that you take care of your community as well as do something for yourself."
It was clear the students listened as many of them checked out with food, gifts for their family, or toys for their friends.
"I challenged them to think of people in their lives who mean something to them, who are their teammates, just like the Ravens," Brown said. "So who is your team? Who are the people around you that protect you and love you and care for you?"
While the students helped those out around them, they also left with some gift of their own. One young boy was so inspired seeing how big and strong the Ravens players were that he got two sets of weights and protein bars.
"He was like, 'Oh my gosh, they're huge and they're great. They're helping out people. Here's my starting point. I'm going to be a Raven,'" Brown recalled.
Smith was one of the many Ravens who helped a student shop as he hosted the event for the second year in a row. The All-Pro linebacker is incredibly involved in the local community and was recently named the Ravens' nominee for the Walter Peyton Man of the Year.
For Brown and the rest of the Bridges program, having someone like Smith helping the city of Baltimore can't be overstated.
"His message to the kids is always heard," Brown said. "It comes from a genuine place, so it definitely resonates with them on a deeper level than just the $200."
