For Mike Mauro and his College of Staten Island (CSI) baseball team, this annual event holds a special place. It's a tradition that they wouldn't exchange for anything. For 17 years now, they've been an integral part of the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation's Turkey Giveaway. Each year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, boxing Hall of Famer Teddy Atlas and his team distribute over 1,000 turkeys and sides to families in need. From across the Island, people come together to contribute in various ways. And the CSI baseball team has been a constant presence in this mission for nearly two decades.

Showing Compassion and Love

"Our 17th year of helping the Teddy Atlas foundation by giving out 1100 turkeys and sides to those in need on Staten Island is a source of great pride for our team," said Mauro. "We witnessed the joy on the faces of people who will now have food on their tables for Thanksgiving. It's a reminder of the importance of showing compassion and love."

Loading and Distributing

On Friday at 4 p.m., the team began loading trucks with thousands of pounds of turkeys and other trimmings. They continued on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. at the Atlas headquarters in West Brighton. Players formed makeshift "assembly lines" to send the goods directly into the waiting delivery vehicles. The turkeys and sides were carefully packaged and will be delivered to local schools, parishes, food pantries, non-profit organizations, and residents in need across the borough. This is a laborious task, but Mauro and his crew do it with love and dedication.

Honoring Teddy Atlas

"Teddy is an extraordinary man, and we are honored to be a part of his mission at CSI," said Mauro. "His work in helping needy Staten Islanders through his Foundation, named in honor of his late father, is truly inspiring. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute and make a difference in the lives of those in need."

The Teddy Dinner Connection

Two days before the Turkey Giveaway, the Atlas Foundation held its 28th annual Teddy Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn. Loads of stars and sports personalities, along with fellow Islanders, came out to support the Foundation. This dinner is the biggest fundraiser for the Atlas Foundation and showcases the community's support for Teddy Atlas and his work.