Shortly after returning recently from a trip to Europe, Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. participated in a water drive along with Tillman Scholars from the Pat Tillman Foundation and Coca Cola a few days before the Fourth of July holiday.
The second annual water drive helped the residents of UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix and distributed about 10,000 bottles of Dasani water donated by Coca Cola. There were also interactive games for children and families.
UMOM provides shelter, housing and services for the homeless in which nearly 700 individuals (155 families and 130 single women) benefit. The organization also has over 550 units of affordable housing in the Phoenix area.
While still in high school, Johnson formed the Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation, which supports veterans and disadvantaged youth.
Asked about the water drive during a recent interview on NFL Network, Johnson said, “When I first got to Arizona, something that I wanted to do was give back to the community, being able to serve the families and the kids in the community. I wanted to help with something. It’s a small way, but it can go far not only with the water but being able to have some conversations and spend time with the families there. It’s always amazing.”
His foundation has a feed-the-needy drive in November, a holiday toy drive and in December he supported the Tillman Foundation during My Cleats, My Cause.
Noting how important it is to him, Johnson said, “I believe the platform that I have to play in the NFL; I feel ultimately it’s a gift that comes from God so I want to be able to use the platform that I create by being able to make plays on Sundays to use the time I have to give back to the community in the offseason.
“During the season, during those events, there’s a team of people in the foundation that are going to be able to help out those events as I’m keeping the main thing the main thing on the field because that’s what fuels the activity in the offseason and be able to give back that also helps the activities during the season. So I’m thankful to have a team of people that when I’m not available to be there physically myself, it keeps the events going and helps the community out.”
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