This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WASHINGTON -- Outfielder Stone Garrett was welcomed by the Washington, D.C., community in his first year with the Nationals. This week, he expressed his gratitude before Thanksgiving.
“Our fans support us all season long,” Garrett said. “So to give back to the community means a lot, especially during the holiday season.”
Garrett participated in the Washington Nationals Philanthropies’ sixth annual Turkeypalooza on Monday. The three-day event was the largest to date with the distribution of more than 3,600 complete meals, 900 turkeys and winter gear.
“Nationals Philanthropies tackles food insecurity year-round by providing education and supporting improved access to healthy food in Washington, D.C., communities with the greatest need,” said Washington Nationals Philanthropies CEO Tal Alter. “Disparity in food access is a key driver of hunger in the region, and the strain on access is heightened during the holiday season. Thanks to our continued partnership with BetMGM, we can expand our Thanksgiving meal distribution to help thousands of residents celebrate the holiday with a full meal.”
Turkeypalooza began at the BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park, where Garrett was among those distributing turkeys. Garrett also met with fans of all ages, including a young fan who excitedly approached him to say hi and take a picture.
The event continued on Tuesday and Wednesday in the DMV area at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, the Ferebee-Hope Recreation Center near Scherzer Field and the Oakcrest Community Center in District Heights, Md.
“Growing up, I saw Matt Kemp stretching, and that’s the moment I knew I wanted to be a big league player,” Garrett said. “So if I can be that for one kid, whether it’s stretching on the field or giving his family a turkey or just interacting with him around D.C., it means a lot.”
Garrett is spending the offseason in Washington while he rehabs from a fractured left fibula sustained in late August. He began running on a treadmill on Monday, and he still expects to be ready for Spring Training.
“I’m thankful for our trainers who are getting me back healthy and my friends and family and fans that have supported me through this process,” he said.