Maryland Legends Merriman and Francis to Host Annual Community Drives on October 17
9/17/2026 3:34:00 PM | Football
COLLEGE PARK, MD. -- Maryland Legends and former NFL players Shawne Merriman and A.J. Francis are hosting their annual coat and canned food drives, respectively, at the Maryland vs. Rutgers football game on Oct. 17.
Merriman's 24th annual Lights On Foundation Coat Drive invites Maryland fans and community members to donate new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, and other cold weather gear to support local families in need. This year's coat drive also coincides with Merriman's induction into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, with the formal induction ceremony and banquet held the night before on Oct. 16 and an on-field recognition at the Rutgers game on Oct. 17.
The 10th annual A.J. Francis Canned Food Drive encourages all attendees of the game to bring non-perishable items to the game. The recipients of the goods will be those associated with Sarah's House in Fort Meade, Maryland, which is just a short drive from Francis' hometown of Severn.
Wegmans Food Markets is joining the food drive this year by providing logistic and employee support. Employees will be on hand to help collect, sort and pack the donated items. Additionally, Wegmans will be making a direct contribution of canned food.
"At Wegmans, we believe the greatest impact happens when organizations, volunteers, and community members come together in support of a shared cause," said Chris Holland, Regional Community Engagement Manager for Wegmans Food Markets. "We're grateful for the opportunity to support Shawne Merriman's and A.J. Francis' community drives and to work alongside volunteers and Maryland fans to provide food and cold-weather essentials for local families."
Volunteers will be on hand to collect canned food and new or gently used coats and other cold weather items at donation bins conveniently located around SECU Stadium.
Merriman played for the Terps from 2002-04, culminating with an all-conference team nod. He was taken with the 12th pick in the 2005 NFL draft and burst onto the pro scene as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played eight seasons and went on to earn three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections, including First-Team All-Pro in 2006 after leading the league in sacks.
"When I first started this 24 years ago I was only looking to help a few hundred people to not feel like I felt in the winter," Merriman said. "Twenty-four years later we're still going but none of this would be possible without all the support I've received over the years to do so."
Francis, who played four seasons at Maryland from 2009-12, also carved out a career in the NFL before going on to become a WWE entertainer. Francis was an anchor of the Maryland defensive line, playing in 49 games and compiling 149 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He would go on to play in the NFL for Miami, Seattle, Washington, the New York Giants, New England and Tampa Bay. He is currently a TNA superstar.
"I grew up in Severn, Maryland and my parents both went to Meade High School, so Sarah's House represents a community full of people that could have been me," Francis said. "We've been able to raise thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for people that really need it, and to be able to do that for a decade lets me know that my purpose of making my community better than how I found it is coming true. I couldn't be more grateful to the University of Maryland community for allowing me to be a beacon of hope to people back home and to let the kids in Sarah's House know that people in this world care about them and will always be there for them."
More about the Lights On Foundation:
Merriman's Lights On Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth and to help the homeless. Founded while still a student at UM, Merriman and the Lights On Foundation donated more than 40,000 coats in the past 20-plus years. Merriman donates time, money and other resources throughout the country by increasing opportunities for children to lead healthy and fulfilling lives through his foundation. By building corporate partnerships within the community, Merriman is able to provide financial assistance to projects focusing primarily on helping the homeless and children in need.
About Wegmans
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 114 stores located along the east coast. The family company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the '100 Best Companies to Work For®' by Fortune® for 29 consecutive years, ranking #5 in 2026.
Merriman's 24th annual Lights On Foundation Coat Drive invites Maryland fans and community members to donate new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, and other cold weather gear to support local families in need. This year's coat drive also coincides with Merriman's induction into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, with the formal induction ceremony and banquet held the night before on Oct. 16 and an on-field recognition at the Rutgers game on Oct. 17.
The 10th annual A.J. Francis Canned Food Drive encourages all attendees of the game to bring non-perishable items to the game. The recipients of the goods will be those associated with Sarah's House in Fort Meade, Maryland, which is just a short drive from Francis' hometown of Severn.
Wegmans Food Markets is joining the food drive this year by providing logistic and employee support. Employees will be on hand to help collect, sort and pack the donated items. Additionally, Wegmans will be making a direct contribution of canned food.
"At Wegmans, we believe the greatest impact happens when organizations, volunteers, and community members come together in support of a shared cause," said Chris Holland, Regional Community Engagement Manager for Wegmans Food Markets. "We're grateful for the opportunity to support Shawne Merriman's and A.J. Francis' community drives and to work alongside volunteers and Maryland fans to provide food and cold-weather essentials for local families."
Volunteers will be on hand to collect canned food and new or gently used coats and other cold weather items at donation bins conveniently located around SECU Stadium.
Merriman played for the Terps from 2002-04, culminating with an all-conference team nod. He was taken with the 12th pick in the 2005 NFL draft and burst onto the pro scene as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played eight seasons and went on to earn three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections, including First-Team All-Pro in 2006 after leading the league in sacks.
"When I first started this 24 years ago I was only looking to help a few hundred people to not feel like I felt in the winter," Merriman said. "Twenty-four years later we're still going but none of this would be possible without all the support I've received over the years to do so."
Francis, who played four seasons at Maryland from 2009-12, also carved out a career in the NFL before going on to become a WWE entertainer. Francis was an anchor of the Maryland defensive line, playing in 49 games and compiling 149 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He would go on to play in the NFL for Miami, Seattle, Washington, the New York Giants, New England and Tampa Bay. He is currently a TNA superstar.
"I grew up in Severn, Maryland and my parents both went to Meade High School, so Sarah's House represents a community full of people that could have been me," Francis said. "We've been able to raise thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for people that really need it, and to be able to do that for a decade lets me know that my purpose of making my community better than how I found it is coming true. I couldn't be more grateful to the University of Maryland community for allowing me to be a beacon of hope to people back home and to let the kids in Sarah's House know that people in this world care about them and will always be there for them."
More about the Lights On Foundation:
Merriman's Lights On Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth and to help the homeless. Founded while still a student at UM, Merriman and the Lights On Foundation donated more than 40,000 coats in the past 20-plus years. Merriman donates time, money and other resources throughout the country by increasing opportunities for children to lead healthy and fulfilling lives through his foundation. By building corporate partnerships within the community, Merriman is able to provide financial assistance to projects focusing primarily on helping the homeless and children in need.
About Wegmans
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 114 stores located along the east coast. The family company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the '100 Best Companies to Work For®' by Fortune® for 29 consecutive years, ranking #5 in 2026.
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