Former Rays manager Joe Maddon brings Thanksmas meal back to Clearwater
Former Rays manager Joe Maddon is bringing back his Thanksmas meal to help the homeless in Clearwater.
Maddon started the Thanksmas program in 2006 to raise awareness and has served thousands of meals at shelters in the Tampa Bay area, as well as subsequent managing stops in Chicago (Cubs) and southern California (Angels), and in his hometown of Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Maddon will spend his 70th birthday on Thursday at the Homeless Empowerment Program in Clearwater, serving at 4 p.m.
“We are delighted to return to HEP,” Maddon said. “Thanksmas has traditionally been held between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is really more about reminding people that homelessness exists year-round, not just at the holidays.”
Since being fired by the Angels in June 2022, Maddon has released a book (The Book of Joe), hosts a podcast and provides regular commentary on MLB Network.
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