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DENVER** – Sixteen Broncos helped brighten the holidays for members of the Denver Rescue Mission on Monday evening at the shelter's annual holiday party.
"It's always great to give back," said linebacker Brandon Marshall. "Especially a time like this, to come out here and see all these faces and put a smile on their faces is great."
The Broncos were happy to spread holiday spirit to the members at The Crossing facility. Kids and adults alike cheered and smiled as soon as the Broncos walked in during their holiday meal for a meet and greet.
"It's very important," said wide receiver Demaryius Thomas of spending time in the community. "A lot of people aren't fortunate at times to have a good holiday and for me and my teammates to come out and hang out with these families and these kids is big."
Broncos players helped spread holiday cheer at the Denver Rescue Mission Annual Holiday Party. (All photos by Allie Raymond)
After mingling, posing for pictures and signing footballs and posters, the Broncos and kids moved to cookie decorating. The players helped kids at the facility ice gingerbread men and decorate them with candy.
"It's always fun," said cornerback Chris Harris Jr. "I think I've done it every year since I've been here, so it's always fun coming here and messing with the gingerbread men and doing all that and it's going to be fun, definitely, because kids always stuff tons of sweets in their mouths. It's fun every year."
Harris has attended every holiday party at The Crossing since he became a Bronco in 2011 because of his mentor, Champ Bailey. Bailey was very involved with the Denver Rescue Mission and its causes during his time in Denver.
"I first started coming here and doing this with Champ and then he kind of passed it on to me," Harris said. "We have a great turnout every year, it seems like it's getting better and better and I'm just glad everybody is starting to sign up for it."
Denver Rescue Mission, one of the Denver Broncos' 11 community flagship partners, works to change lives by meeting people at their physical and spiritual points of need, with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens.
The Crossing is a clean and safe residential community providing long-term rehabilitation and transitional housing to individuals and families who desire to achieve a life of self-sufficiency and community contribution.
