In Tune with the Holiday Spirit, Ray Gaddis Feels It’s his Obligation to Give Back to the Community and Set Example for Younger FC Cincinnati Players

November 19, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

With the holidays rapidly approaching, FC Cincinnati’s Ray Gaddis used his time to help organize his second Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at TQL Stadium. In partnering up with Kroger and the FC Cincinnati Foundation, Gaddis distributed over 100 turkeys and other Thanksgiving meal supplies to families in the Cincinnati community.

“I think it’s more of a privilege, but also an honor. When God blesses you, it’s intended to be a blessing to other people,” Gaddis said. “I just think it’s only right to show love, especially to the city of Cincinnati, as they have shown us love all year round.”

The FC Cincinnati defender, who was named the 2022 Procter & Gamble Humanitarian of the Year, was joined by FC Cincinnati teammates Quimi Ordoñez and Malik Pinto to spread love.

“I’m a firm believer it costs nothing to show love,” Gaddis added. “That’s just merely what we were doing.”

By bringing younger teammates to help with the community give back, Gaddis is ensuring that there are more hands to help out and setting the example for the next generation of soccer stars to be active in the community and give back from their privilege.

“I’m thankful for Malik Pinto and Quimi Ordoñez. Being out there to be in the giving spirit alongside me, but also to show young players to pay it forward as they go throughout their career,” Gaddis said.

“It’s an honor, and I feel like as an athlete, you need to do as much as you can to give back to the community,” Ordoñez, a Cincinnati native, added. “The fact that (Gaddis) goes out of his way does something like that. I feel like it’s an honor to me to be able to help.

“To go out of his way and do something like that, it speaks to Ray’s character and shows us young guys how it should be done.”

To learn more about getting involved in FC Cincinnati’s work in the community, click here to receive information on volunteer opportunities and here to donate to FC Cincinnati Foundation today.

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