Keffer Simpson delivers a free turkey on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, during a giveaway of 500 turkey dinners outside the Fred VanVleet Shop in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — NBA star Fred VanVleet’s annual tradition of giving free Thanksgiving dinners to anyone who needs one continued today in downtown.
Basketball players from VanVleet’s alma mater Auburn High School and employees of the Fred VanVleet Shop gave away 500 free turkeys plus sides outside the shop. A U-Haul truck full of supplies was parked near the shop and FVV-branded bags with turkey dinners were given to anyone driving by.
“It’s very important for Fred to give back to his community,” said Keffer Simpson, chief operating officer of the FVV Shop. “We just got to keep the tradition doing it.”
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Auburn High School basketball players Braden Torrance, left, and Rob Chaney help give away turkey dinners to 500 people Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Some people came to the downtown shop specifically to pick up the turkey dinner, others were just driving through East State Street and reacted with a mix of surprise and gratitude.
“That’s why we’re doing it, to get those type of reactions, to just make them happy and show that we care about our community,” Simpson said.
VanVleet wasn’t at the giveaway because his Toronto Raptors play tonight against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. This is the fourth year the 27-year-old, sixth-year NBA veteran has held the giveaway.
Auburn High School basketball player Rakim Chaney helps deliver free turkey dinners in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
500 free turkey dinners were given away by the Fred VanVleet Shop. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Keffer Simpson runs a free turkey dinner to a driver. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram at @thekevinhaas.