By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

PHOTO ALBUM

Christmas came a little bit early for a group of at-risk teens who took part in “Shop With A Steeler” at American Eagle Outfitters at Ross Park Mall.

Steelers players teamed with 40 teens from Youth Places, a United Way Agency, for a $200 shopping spree for them to purchase clothing for themselves or holiday gifts.

It didn’t take long for the fun to begin and the purchases to be made, with hooded sweatshirts and jeans a popular item among the group.

“It’s crazy fun,” said 15-year old Malcolm Hill. “Once I saw Jeff Reed everything got fun. It’s a very neat experience. He is helping everybody. He has helped me a lot. He is fresh. He likes to dress fresh so I like what he picked. It shows they care for us and the people in Pittsburgh. It’s great.”

Reed was one of eight players, along with Charlie Batch, Santonio Holmes, Daniel Sepulveda, Matt Spaeth, Lawrence Timmons, Deshea Townsend and Greg Warren, who each took five teens around the store and helped them with their selections.

“I have an 11-year old daughter and it’s a typical store for her,” said Townsend. ”I have learned to not pick out what I want but let them pick what they want.

“Anything you can do to help make a difference in somebody’s life you have to do. With all of the great things that the United Way does it’s the least that we can do to help out in whatever way we can.”

It didn’t take long for the $200 to be spent between buying for themselves and in most cases picking up gifts for friends or family.  Some of them went a bit over budget and players didn’t hesitate to step up and pay the difference out of pocket.

“I wanted to get them what they wanted so I was more than happy to help them out,” said Reed. “It’s fun, especially this time of year. It’s the time of year when a lot of kids look forward to Christmas gifts. Even though it might not be something they will open up, but they can look back at it one day and think the Steelers helped me out.

“Things like this kind of tear you up because it means so much to them.”

And that it did. The shopping spree had been over for about an hour, but the amazement remained in the hearts of the teens and the smiles on their faces were not about to go away as they continued to say thank you.

“I just want to give back to the community,” said Timmons. “I wish I had something like this growing up and I it feels good to be able to help out with it. It makes me feel good inside.”

Youth Places ensures that underserved, high risk youth ages 12-18 engage in quality after-school programs, within their own neighborhoods, that are shaped by the community and youth leaders in order to develop the skills of youth and increase their opportunity for success.