The holiday season is about the spirit of giving, and one NFL athlete and former Louisiana football star is demonstrating that spirit this year to an Acadiana family.
St. Martin Parish native and Cecilia High product Raymond Calais, who is currently a running back for the Los Angeles Rams, wanted to give back to families in need. Calais purchased various essential items and chose three Acadiana families to receive the donations.
Among those chosen was the family of Trayford Pellerin. A home, owned by Pellerin's grandmother Ethel Brown, burned down earlier this month. While no one was injured, the home, along with two cars and most of the family's belongings, was a total loss.
Wednesday, Calais's family, including his father Raymond Calais Sr., mother Christina Calais, sister Sierra Noel, and brother Dillard Calais, traveled to Carencro to deliver the donation.
"On behalf of my son, he wanted to give back to Acadiana, and he chose your family since [the fire] happened at a tragic time of the season," said Calais. "So we wanted to provide some gifts to the kids and a monetary donation to help start you off. We want to put 2020 behind you and look forward to 2021 with a blessing. That's what it is, a blessing."
And that's exactly what Brown calls it, too.
"It means a lot. When they reached out, I was like, 'That is really a blessing.'"
The Calais family is thankful to help out others in need, and Raymond Sr. says doing so gave him a good feeling.
"It touches your heart," he added. "'Cause you know you did a good deed for someone."
Video courtesy the Calais family shows donations being delivered to one Acadiana family
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