Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler and several of their Denver Broncos teammates demonstrated the true meaning of the holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 16, treating 40 kids from the Rev. Leon Kelly’s Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives after-school program to an outing to shop for their families at a Denver-area Walmart store.

Each child, chosen for his or her high achievement and attendance in the program, was given a gift card to purchase gifts for family members to make their holiday that much more special this year. In addition, the children will receive a gift for themselves when the more than 100 families whose children attend the program gather for Open Door’s annual Holiday Party.

Marshall and Cutler, who are regular supporters of Open Door, were joined by teammates Daniel Graham, Darrell Hackney, Ryan Harris, Chad Jackson and Kenny Peterson to personally escort the children throughout their shopping excursion and lend a hand in the gift-wrapping process afterwards. Graham was pulling double-duty, as his Daniel Graham Foundation hosted its own holiday shopping trip at the store later in the evening.

As players were assigned their shoppers, they were joined by Walmart store associates and equipped with empty shopping carts to begin their storewide blitz. Displaying their appreciation for this rare opportunity, the kids carefully thought through their choices to stretch their budgets and provide something special for as many family members as possible. The players not only pushed carts and played lead-blocker to help navigate the crowded aisles, but also chipped in with gift ideas to help narrow the overwhelming number of choices.

The event provided a fitting end to a triumphant day for Marshall and Cutler, who learned earlier in the day that they had been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the NFL’s annual all-star game to be played in Honolulu on Feb. 8. They celebrated their accomplishments by thanking teammates and giving to others in need.

The event was organized by Pro Link Sports, in partnership with Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives, Brandon Marshall and the Jay Cutler Foundation. In addition to hosting the event, Walmart provided gift-wrap materials, refreshments and an army of associates to help the event run smoothly, and Tony Rosacci Fine Catering donated sandwiches and snacks for the kids.