FLORHAM PARK — The New York Jets in partnership with the USO helped transform a seemingly ordinary afternoon into a friendly, but competitive, Turkey Bowl event at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, the largest U.S. military base in the region. The action-packed event took place near the Pat Tillman USO Center, named for the former Army Ranger and Arizona Cardinals safety, as nearly 50 U.S. military members suited up for the game donning custom-made jerseys provided by the Jets.

The Blue Star Mothers of America, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the military through service, fueled military members with over 100 “Humvee Gate” care packages.  New footballs, flag belts and award balls were also sent over to support the Turkey Bowl.

“We thank all of our NFL teams that support our troopers, particularly the New York Jets for their support of the Turkey Bowl in Afghanistan this Thanksgiving weekend,” said Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson. “Most of our soldiers are athletes who cherish the opportunity for a little competition and team building while deployed or at home.  Playing sports such as football while overseas in a combat zone is a huge distraction and the game makes everyone feel a little closer to home while they are away from their loved ones. We cannot do what we do without the support of our fellow Americans.”

For the day, the First Cavalry Division and USFOR-A were pitted against each other. Ultimately, Team First Cavalry Division prevailed, winning 79 to 62. SPC Keffer, quarterback for the First Cavalry, earned MVP honors. Before the game began, military members spoke with Jets center Nick Mangold via Skype for a pre-game talk before being treated to music and food outside of the Pat Tillman USO Center.

“It was an incredible honor to speak with the men and women of our military who every day serve to protect our country,” said Mangold. “Today was just a small token of our gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice.”

Wednesday’s game marked the second time the New York Jets and the USO have collaborated to host a flag football game. In August, the Jets sent custom-made jerseys, footballs, flag belts and more to the Bagram Air Base, where members from the 10^th Mountain Division, 518^th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade and the 25^th Signal Battalion of the U.S. Army played a handful of games.

“The men and women of the First Cavalry Division and U.S. Forces Afghanistan are deeply appreciative of the tremendous love and support you’ve shown from home, especially during the holiday season,” said Maj. Gen. John C. Thomson III, 1st Cavalry Division Commanding General. “This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in All-American turkey and football and I could not be more proud of the competitive spirit shown by our outstanding troopers.”

Eight soldiers, who participated in a Jets-themed flag football game earlier in the year while they were deployed to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, led the Jets out of the tunnel during introductions in Week 10. The group also presented Jets owner Woody Johnson with a signed game ball from the August event.

NEW JERSEY — The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) announced today the launch of its first advertising campaign in support of Giving Tuesday, November 29, a national day that kicks off the holiday season by encouraging charitable giving. This year, CFBNJ will receive an important monetary contribution from a generous friend who is passionate about ending hunger in New Jersey.

The anonymous donor has issued a $25,000 Giving Tuesday Matching Gift Challenge. On Giving Tuesday only, every gift to the FoodBank will be doubled up to a total of $25,000. Monetary donations are particularly critical to the FoodBank because every dollar donated results in the ability to provide five meals for New Jersey’s hungry men, women and children. That’s 10 meals for every dollar donated on Giving Tuesday! People can donate at FeedNJkids.org.

According to Feeding America®:
· More than 1 million residents in New Jersey, or about 11.8 percent of the state’s population, are “food insecure,” the term the USDA uses to indicate people who lack access to enough food to lead healthy lives.
· The average rate of child food insecurity is an astonishing 16.8 percent.
· This translates to almost 340,000, or nearly one in five children, who will miss more than one meal today.

“No one, especially a child, should miss a meal because their family cannot afford food,” said Debra Vizzi, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Too many families – including those with working parents – have to choose between medicine and food; housing and food; or utilities and food. On Giving Tuesday, we are imploring all those who are able to help their neighbors and donate to the FoodBank so no one has to miss a meal due to cost.”

The integrated #GivingTuesday campaign includes traditional public relations featuring results of a survey conducted among New Jersey moms about the state’s hunger crisis; a social media campaign; as well as an impactful 30-second television and radio broadcast public service announcement debuting on over 100 cable networks on November 18, 2016. Again, donations can be made by visiting FeedNJkids.org.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, provides people across the state with food, help and hope. The FoodBank distributed over 43 million pounds of food last year to its more than 1,000 partner charities including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. For our neighbors, especially families, and for the volunteers and donors who support them, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful change agent that fills the emptiness caused by hunger with the basic human essentials that people need to survive. More than 4.7 million times a year, someone in need is fed by the FoodBank’s network of partner charities.