CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami football national champion D.J. Williams returned to South Florida on Thursday, June 18th where he will played host to his fifth HomeTeam Closet event. The event was at HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth) Incorporated in Fort Lauderdale.
Joining Williams at Thursday afternoon’s HomeTeam Closet event was former teammate and Hurricane legend Bryant McKinney and Tony Jerod-Eddie of the San Francisco 49ers. Upon arrival, the residents shared an afternoon of shopping and lunch supplied by Home Team Closet. Williams has played host to four HomeTeam Closet events nationwide, including two in South Florida. The Hurricane legend held his first HomeTeam Closet event in South Florida on Saturday, April 11 on the University of Miami Green tree Practice field.
“I love being able to give back,” Williams said. “Miami has done so much for me and I wanted to try and return the favor. Our previous events in Chicago and Miami were very successful, so I wanted to build on that and try and help as many people as we can. I feel like we have a team mentality and we want to build that throughout the communities we work with. We are all on the same team and we’re working together to help one another.” Williams, McKinney and former Hurricane defensive lineman Olivier Vernon will donate their own clothing out of their own closet to the event and will share an afternoon of good food and good conversation.
HANDY annually serves more than 1,300 at-risk children who participate in comprehensive programs that focus on education, youth development, and economic self-sufficiency. HANDY Inc. is located at 501 Northeast 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale.
Following the afternoon HomeTeam Closet event on Thursday, Williams will held an informative dinner at Brother Jimmy’s Barbeque at Brickell Village in Miami (900 S. Miami Avenue) to build support and awareness for HomeTeam Closet. Joining Williams at the Brother Jimmy’s Barbeque dinner were. Hurricane legends Jonathan Vilma, Jon Beason, Antrell Rolle, Santana Moss, McKinney and many more. The event included Wii bowling with the players in attendance, a raffle for signed items by the players and exclusive photo opportunities.
Home Team Closet is a concept in which Williams, and other teammates, donate unused clothing from their own closets and gift it back to the homeless and underprivileged youth of the community that supports those teams.
