A time to give back

Members of the offensive line served dinner to Homewood residents through the Community Empowerment Association, also providing gift cards for them to purchase turkeys and all the trimmings for their own Thanksgiving meal.

The dinner was organized by tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, who enlisted his fellow linemen to be a part of it.

“I feel like I have been here for a couple of years and haven’t done anything for the community, people outside of my teammates and team,” said Okorafor. “I wanted to do something for people in the area to help them.”

Okorafor said it felt good to give back and hopes the families felt the same way.

“It’s cool to help the people, provide the food and gift cards for them,” said Okorafor. “But it’s also about them seeing us give our time to them as well. Hopefully it made them feel more special.”

Doing events like this at the holiday adds a special element to it for the players, even though Okorafor didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving growing up in Nigeria.

“I understand it a little bit,” said Okorafor. “I am still learning what it’s about and it’s pretty cool. Helping out makes it even better.

“Everyone is going to go through a hard time. Us being there for them, it lets them know we care. We understand they might not be able to afford something now, they might need something like this, so it’s special.”

After serving the meal, the players spent time with the families and kids, signing autographs, taking pictures and enjoying each other.

“It was great to see the Steelers getting involved right in the community,” said Amargie Davis, Deputy Director of the Community Empowerment Association. “The children and families had a great time. It’s a great idea to give back and see the Steelers organization is doing that. Here we are in the holiday season and it’s all about giving, enjoying each other’s company, loving on each other and giving back. That’s what it’s all about.”

Linebacker Alex Highsmith and his wife, Alyssa, donated warm winter blankets to the Urban…