Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

Mark Ingram first asked the 36 children seated before him to raise a hand if they had at least one parent in prison, and when most did, he asked how it made them feel.

"It made me sad," Ingram said.


He would know. The New Orleans Saints running back during his childhood saw his father, former NFL receiver Mark Ingram Sr., put in jail for a period of time.

Ingram recalled that feeling Monday as he spoke to the children as part of a $100-per-child holiday shopping spree put on by his The Mark Ingram Foundation, which is committed to helping underprivileged children across the U.S., and particularly those challenged by the absence of an incarcerated parent.

The event took place at Academy Sports and Outdoors in Metairie, and several Saints teammates were on hand to help.

Included among them were Thomas Morstead, Justin Drescher, Craig Robertson, Senio Kelemete, Vonn Bell, Brandin Cooks, Cam Jordan, Roman Harper, Marcus Murphy, Coby Fleener and Terron Armstead.

Ingram appreciated the support. When he saw Cooks, the two embraced. When he saw Jordan from across the a shopping aisle, Ingram shouted, "Appreciate it," toward Jordan.

Mark Ingram leads shopping spree for children who have a parent in jail | NOLA.com

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

'Atta boy Mark! Happy to have such a high character young man on the team!

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

Some times when bad things happen they give you strength of character for later in life. Great job young man.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

We need more of this in our world. Great to hear.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

How about supporting needy families that manage to avoid going to prison? Why not support children who are victims of economic downturn rather than those whose parents break the law?

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

He's helping kids either way so what does it matter? The kids don't have any control over why their family has fallen on hard times.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

In defense of both your points, neither the kids from families who go to prison nor the kids who's parents fall on hard economic times have control.

Either way it's nice to see him doing something for kids.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

This was one of my first thoughts also, also thought about buying material items instead of needs, but then I thought we just don't see enough good deeds in general, putting others in front of ourselves which is why I think it is a great thing with good heart and motive behind it.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

How do you know he doesn't?

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

MI is a Saint in more ways than one.

If anyone doesn't like this story, something is wrong with you.

Re: Ingram leads shopping spree for children with a parent in jail
 

Ingram knows first hand what it's like growing up with a parent in jail and how tough it was for his mother to raise them single handedly.

He's trying to be a model of what a single parented child should strive to be - a success story.

Atta boy Ingram! You're the man!