Thanks to a sizable donation made to San Quentin by the 49ers, incarcerated people at SQ experienced the holiday season’s warmth with gifts wrapped for their kids and families, while celebrating with part of the team.
The twin daughters of team owner Jed York, Chaplain Earl Smith, and key players of the 49ers were present in the SQ visiting room for the festive event on Dec. 5, 2023.
Offensive linemen No. 77, Alfredo Guterrez; linebacker No. 59, Curtis Robinson; offensive linemen No. 60, Ilm Manning; and tight end No. 89, Charlie Woerner were some of the players sharing gifts and spending time with the incarcerated parents for the holiday season.
“To be able to tell my kids that I wrapped their gifts means a lot to me,” said SQ resident Michael Callahan. He got to wrap gifts for his three sons, Isaac, 15; Ethan, 14; and Andrew, 10. After being away from them for over a year, Callahan enjoyed seeing the look on his kids’ faces when they met players from the 49ers.
“This opportunity was special to be a part of,” said 14-year-old Ethan. “Because a lot of other kids don’t get this chance to meet the 49ers and visit with their dad.” His dad got to watch him unwrap several items of 49ers gear.
The event started with a Q&A between the 49ers and the incarcerated population. The team players answered and asked questions pertaining to social justice reform, crime and punishment, and incarceration.
After the Q&A, the group took a tour around the prison. It was linemen Guterrez’s first visit to any prison, though he and all the players except Woerner had people in their lives who had experienced incarceration.
“I want the Hispanic people to know that I am trying to represent them in the best way, I am here for you guys, and keep fighting man,” said Gutierrez walking across the mainline Lower Yard. Many Hispanics surrounded him, expressing their gratitude for his presence and representing their race. However, residents of all races bombarded the athletes for autographs.
The 49ers Foundation, which supported the event, donates and gives back to over 100 organizations each year, according to Michelle, who works in the 49ers’ community relations department. They work on issues including criminal justice reform, economic advancement, education, and community / police relations. The words “Inspire Change” were printed on the front of all of the Niners’ shirts.
Veteran athlete Charlie Woerner stood in the center aisle of the visiting room, greeting tiny 49er fans with excited smiles on their lit-up faces, holding memorabilia in their small hands for him to sign.
“It feels great to give back and spread hope and a new belief,” said Woerner. “People deserve another chance. So it’s nice to come in and spend some time with those families and those kids, and see those guys give their kids some gifts. It’s huge, man.”
Woerner and his wife personally did some extra shopping for this season and purchased some of the gifts that were given to some of the lucky kids.
All of the small tables in the open space of the visiting room were full of gift-wrapped bags. Kids were dribbling basketballs and running around with footballs, acting like they were escaping tackles.
The 5-year-old grandson of resident Vincent O’Bannon was elatedly dribbling the basketball that he wanted for Christmas, he said. And when Lewis’s granddad Zy’ir O’Bannon asked his grandson how he felt when receiving that basketball, the 5-year-old simply responded, “Good!” He later added that although he likes basketball more than football, the most exciting thing about meeting the 49ers that day was when they signed his basketball for him.
Though an openly-expressed Dallas Cowboys fan himself, Warden Oak Smith shared his appreciation of the 49ers’ donation and time they spent with the incarcerated. “On behalf of the incarcerated and staff, I just want to thank you guys for [your] contribution so these guys can give gifts to their kids, and thank y’all for coming out to partake in this event,” he said.
The day meant a lot to resident Daniel Tolosa, who has been married for seven years and was experiencing being a first-time father. He never thought it would be possible to be in prison wrapping gifts for his first kid, and be able to give them to her. Tolosa wrapped some clothes and a video game for his 5-month-old daughter Issabella.
To put the stamp on the day, SQ PIO Lt. G. Berry shared some words. “I’m honored to be a part of this and I’m grateful. It’s mind blowing that they would take time out of their schedule to come hangout with us and speak up on topics like social justice and the things that is going on in the community. It’s great to see the smiles on the kid’s faces. It’s gracious of them to donate toys to the kids so that they can open them up with their fathers, that’s priceless.”
