Kenneth Harper serves a meal

On Wednesday night, members of the TempleOwls football team helped former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb continue his legacy in Philadelphia when they served Thanksgiving dinner to nearly 250 residents at Stenton Family Manor (SFM).

This tradition started in 2008 when McNabb’s wife, Roxi, selected SFM as the recipient of the Donovan McNabb Foundation’s holiday gifting. That Wednesday night, while Donovan and his teammates were getting ready to play the Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving night, McNabb’s foundation provided turkeys with all the fixings and enlisted the assistance of many of the Eagles players’ wives to serve.

Also asked to help that night six year ago was Sonny DiCrecchio, CEO of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. DiCrecchio was so impressed by the work that SFM did, he adopted SFM and has been helping them ever since. Through DiCrecchio, SFM has received nearly $75,000 in fresh produce each year. DiCrecchio has also continued the annual Thanksgiving meal and provides many other resources to SFM.

“We’ve truly been blessed,” said Elder Rob Harrison, Stenton Family Manor’s executive director. “Six years ago Donovan’s Foundation chose us and we would have been thankful if it was just that one night; that one holiday dinner. But he blessed us with a guardian angel when he asked Sonny DiCrecchio to be part of that evening.”

“What impressed me most was that Stenton was a family shelter,” said DiCrecchio. “There aren’t many shelters that keep the family unit intact. Elder Harrison has a track record for helping families who are struggling and need guidance to get back on their feet. At Stenton, they teach families how to support themselves on their own and give them a better chance of becoming independent again.”

For the sixth straight year, Stenton residents celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with plates full of turkey, ham, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, assorted cakes and fresh fruit. This year, joining DiCrecchio’s family and friends were Ryan Alderman, Chris Coyer, Kenneth Harper and Kamal Johnson from the TempleUniversity football team.

“Sonny has been nothing short of amazing,” said McNabb, whose job and family require him to be on the West Coast this Thanksgiving. “I’ve heard of a number of incredible things he has done for Stenton and for many other people in need. I’m honored to have people in my life like him. And I’d also like to thank the TempleFootball players for helping this year. I remember what it did for me last year to share the holiday with Stenton. I walked away enriched and I know they will have the same feelings.”