NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As a youngster, Harry Douglas and his family regularly fed meals to the homeless around the holidays. It's something he'll always remember.
The experience is partly why Douglas, a receiver with the Titans, and his brother, Toney, a guard with the New Orleans Pelicans, began the Douglas Brothers Foundation. They wanted to give back.
On Tuesday, the brothers held the seventh annual Holiday Treat Festival in Jonesboro, Georgia.
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More than 350 kids and their families attended the event. They were given free bikes and other gifts just a few days before Christmas. Harry Douglas drove to Jonesboro on Monday night, took part in the event Tuesday, and was back on the practice field Wednesday.
It was a lively event that included live entertainment, and a dance contest. The Douglas brothers were right in the middle of the action.
"I think I have more fun than (the kids) do,'' Douglas said. "It is a great deal, something I love to do. My parents instilled (the idea of helping others) in my brother and sister growing up. My dad used to take us when we were little to feed the homeless. It's one of those things when we were little, when your parents instill it in you, and you want to give back. When I have kids I'm going to do the same thing.'
Harry and Toney Douglas founded the Douglas Brothers Foundation. The Mission of this foundation is "to educate and empower underprivileged youth and families" in the community "to achieve their life and career goals, while building stronger communities that support the betterment of younger people."
Douglas said the goal is to provide services for the community "to enhance the lives of underprivileged youth." The children ranged from toddlers to teenagers at Tuesday's event.
The foundation conducts several events during the course of the year, including a back to school event, a coat drive and other events geared to help children with education.
The Douglas brothers are from Jonesboro. Harry Douglas played with the Falcons before joining the Titans in March.
"We just want to lift them up, and build them up,'' Douglas said. "Basically it's trying to give them an avenue to provide things for them they might not be able to provide. I enjoy it. It's all about dedication."
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