Last year, New York Jets’ defensive lineman Quinton Coples held his first turkey giveaway at one location and gave away 250 turkeys.
This year, the Kinston native and former UNC football star wanted to make the event larger, as well as put more focus in his old stomping grounds.
More than 300 turkeys were distributed at both the Piggly Wiggly on North Herritage Street and St. John’s Village Apartments on Monday during Coples’ second annual turkey giveaway.
Michael Thompson, a childhood friend of Coples, was one of the volunteers handing out turkeys. He said Coples giving away turkeys in a place he grew up in was a noble act.
“He loves this place,” Thompson said of Coples, who was unable to attend the event, as he prepared for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. “When we were growing up, he told me, ‘As soon as I make it, I’m giving back any way I can.’ Doing it here at St. John’s was more direct, because this is where we used to live. It’s just a big thing and it shows how humble he is.”
Kurtis Stewart, president of Millennium Sports Management Group — a company that represents Coples — also passed out turkeys, saying Coples wanted to give back to those who cared for him as a child.
“He wanted to make a commitment to St. John’s and made sure he gave back here,” Stewart said. “He has childhood memories here.”
Sheila Miller, who volunteered at Southeast Park for Coples’ Community Day this summer, said she has been impressed with the way the athlete has made good on his claim to give back to Kinston.
“He has been doing good the past two years in the community,” Miller said. “He is really doing his part to look out.”
Tomaya Simmons, a Kinston resident, said Coples has given in a way many others haven’t in the city.
“I’m glad he’s been doing this in the city of Kinston,” Simmons said. “We need more people like him and he started immediately after he got into the NFL. There aren’t too many people like him, giving back like this and we’re thankful.
“We have a lot of celebrities from this city, and some wouldn’t give back as much as a chicken sandwich. Quinton doesn’t have a whole lot, but he’s still giving what he has and he will be blessed. The community is pulling for him to be successful.”
Kinston resident Carletta Briscoe said the turkey was essential to quite a few people in line.
“We appreciate everything he’s doing,” Briscoe said. “Some of us need the turkey for Thanksgiving, and if we don’t eat it all Thursday, we’ll have leftovers for Friday.”
Another Kinston resident, Larry Wayne, said the gesture by Coples was admirable.
“It’s great he gave back to the community in this manner, and I appreciate what he’s doing,” Wayne said.
Coples was not available for comment. Stewart said Coples sent him a text message, which stated he didn’t want to talk to the media because he felt his words would take away from the event.
“He’s not out for gratification,” Stewart said. “He’s doing this event because he knows it’s the right thing to do and he has the finances to pull it off. He’s not interested in people saying things like ‘Oh, look at what Quinton is doing.’ That’s not how he is.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.