Tuesday evening, DC footballers Pierre Garçon and Chris Baker and DC United’s Bill Hamid and Travis Worra joined Capital Restaurant Group CEO Fouad Qreitem for a special “Paisano’s Pizza Party” at the Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church. The local athletes came together to visit patients under the age of 17 with gifts and pizza in honor of the holiday season.
Garçon, Baker and Qreitem paid a special visit to friend Juwaan Espinal, a Centreville, VA teenager with cerebral palsy. Last year, Paisano’s and Garçon raised over $20,000 to buy Espinal a specialized van to drive him around in his wheelchair.
Garçon and Baker took photos with Espinal and handed out their team-designed Ellie’s Hats, while Hamid and Worra played with puzzles and interactive board games with patients. In just two hours, the pro football and soccer stars met over 60 children, spreading holiday cheer to the patients and their families.
“We are grateful to have been part of an event close to my heart. I was born and raised in this community and we are committed to giving back to our local families. Paisano’s appreciates everyone’s willingness to make this happen. Thank you to Pierre, Chris, Bill, Travis, and Ellie’s Hats for joining us. A very special thank you to all those at INOVA who care for these patients and their families around the clock; we recognize that you are the true heroes.” said Qreitem.
Photos credit Joy Asico
