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| WR Micheal Spurlock was one of many Chargers who participated in a shoe distribution charity event on Tuesday. (Dan McLellan) |
The Chargers held their 24th annual Back-to-School Shoe Distribution event Tuesday. The players had the day off, but the majority of the team volunteered their time to help 1,000 children shop for new shoes at four Payless ShoeSource locations in San Diego.
The Chargers host several annual charitable events, but for the players this is one of their favorites. QB Philip Rivers, TE Antonio Gates, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Malcom Floyd, ILB Takeo Spikes and C Nick Hardwick are veterans of the event and donated their time again.
It was the first Back-to-School Shoe Distribution for RB Ronnie Brown and WR Micheal Spurlock, who joined the team as free agents this offseason.
“It’s pretty unique,” Brown said. “To be able to give back and go out and share your time, it means so much. That feeling. there is nothing that you can compare it to. You can go out and score touchdowns or win games, but your effect on your community and the impression you can make on kids, that is something you can’t compare.”
Spurlock echoed Brown’s sentiment. “It’s always good to get out in the community and give back,” Spurlock said. “This is also a great thing for the kids to get out and meet us, so we are enjoying it. My wife is out too, so this is our fun time.”
Spurlock said he was going to do some personal shopping after he was done donating his time. “My daughter’s [fifth] birthday is today, and she was looking for some good shoes.”
Children from grades K-6 are selected by their school districts in the store areas to participate. Funds for the shoes are provided by Chargers president Dean Spanos and Payless ShoeSource.
Follow Chargers reporter Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.
