It's never as hard as you think to lend a helping hand. That is 
For the second year in a row, Dawkins teamed up with King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies to ensure less Colorado families go hungry over the holidays. Thanks to the contributions from the Broncos safety and his partners, The Salvation Army can provide 250 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need across the state.
On Tuesday, nine days before Thanksgiving, Dawkins arrived at the Red Shield Community Center in Denver to help present an $11,000 check to The Salvation Army. Afterward, he stuck around to answer questions and sign autographs.
"The so-called magic happens during this time of year," Dawkins said. "A lot of giving goes on. Why not start at my house to give out and to give others the blessing?"
Along with his Pro Bowl-caliber play, Dawkins brought a tradition of community service with him when he signed with the Broncos in 2009.
"This is something the Lord put in my heart," he said. "When I was in Philadelphia, I did this every year, and it's the same thing here. When I got here, I tried my best to find the right people to put me in the right places."
In Denver, King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies matched Dawkins' desire to support the community. The 15-year NFL veteran stressed that picking up the phone is the hardest part for anyone who wants to give back.
As a young professional, Dawkins said he knew he wanted to give, but didn't know whom to reach out to. Once he figured out how simple it was to make the right connections, he searched for a way to impact his community every year.
"Believe me, giving is easy," he said. "It's just getting past the hesitation of how hard you think it is. You think you have to talk to a whole lot of people to give. No, you talk on maybe one phone call, with maybe one individual, and that individual will usually put you in the right direction."
The contribution from Dawkins and his partners will help The Salvation Army distribute meals in Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Grand Junction.
Each dinner can feed up to six people and includes a turkey, homestyle stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, rolls and a pumpkin pie.
"On Thanksgiving Day these families -- 250 of them -- will sit down and have themselves hopefully an awesome meal, have themselves some conversations along the way, have some laughs and some full bellies," Dawkins said.
Major Victor Doughty, the Intermountain Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army, said he was honored to partner with Dawkins for such a worthy cause.
"Thanksgiving is a time for family. We really appreciate this partnership in helping us to help others," Doughty said. "This statewide initiative with our Corps will aid hundreds of families that have come to us for help this holiday season."
