DETROIT-On Monday, December 18, 2017, Detroit Lions Punter Sam Martin, along with some of his teammates, will be serving dinner and handing out Christmas gifts to families at the Coalition for Temporary Shelter (COTS) (26 Peterboro St.) in Detroit from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.
Families that currently live at the shelter will have the opportunity to spend time with Martin and his Detroit Lions' teammates and enjoy a nice dinner. Afterward, children at the shelter will have a chance to pick out a toy from Santa's Workshop, and visit with Santa at the Christmas Kick-off Party.
"Being a part of the Detroit community is really important to me," said Martin. "Last year we fed over 250 people at the Christmas Kick-off Party at COTS. It's a really special experience to be able to get to know these families, serve them a great dinner, and give out toys and gifts to children that may not otherwise receive a present this holiday. COTS helps so many people in the community, I'm really proud to partner with them again to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling this Christmas."
This year the Christmas Kick-off Party meal at COTS will be provided by Sweet Magnolia's Southern Cooking in Southfield. Sweet Magnolia's is preparing and donating fried chicken, baked chicken, BBQ meatballs, roasted red skin potatoes. string beans, Mac and Cheese, and Hawaiian rolls. After all of the families who live at the shelter have eaten, COTS will open their doors to provide meals to those who are hungry in the community.
Sam Martin has been giving back to Detroit and it's surrounding communities since he was drafted by the National Football League's Detroit Lions in 2013. In 2016 he established the Sam Martin Foundation to enhance the lives of children with physical & mental challenges, and to improve the welfare of animals. In addition to the 2nd Annual COTS Christmas Kick-off, and recent Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, Martin has helped further the mission of organizations like Elevate Detroit and the Michigan Humane Society, and regularly visits with children at local hospitals and organizations.
