DENVER – The Broncos traded in their cleats and pads for pots and pans on Tuesday afternoon as seven players prepared meals at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center for the annual Thanksgiving community dinner at the Colorado Convention Center.

Ben Garland, who spearheaded the event, was joined by Michael Schofield, David Bruton Jr., Chris Clark, Matt Paradis, Steven Johnson and Mark Asper.

Last year former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker organized the event but Garland wanted it to continue so he invited his teammates to cook with him.

"What an amazing event, you're able to feed 1,500 people and give them a Thanksgiving," Garland said. "Because Eric is gone, I really wanted to fill the void and be able to do it again. I grabbed a few guys and got them together for it."

The Broncos prepped green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and other traditional Thanksgiving foods. The work the Broncos put in saved the Salvation Army's kitchen staff a day and a half of work, according to Divisional Commander Dan Starrett.

"They came down to actually work and they're giving of themselves, not just because they're in an outfit or because they have numbers on them, they don't," Starrett said. "I think they're giving of themselves today and that impresses me and I'm grateful."

After their endeavors in the kitchen, the Broncos met fans and signed autographs.

"It's something they kind of dream about because they just don't usually have the money to go to a game, be around those kinds of people," Starrett said. "It's a big dream for all of us. It's pretty exciting."

While Schofield's cooking at home is limited to his George Foreman Grill, he and Garland made a great team in preparing green beans. On the other end of the spectrum, Bruton cooks constantly at home and was happy to lend a helping hand on Tuesday as he prepared the stuffing.

"As a team, I believe that Pat Bowlen and the Denver Broncos organization definitely established a strong relationship with the community. That's something that the Broncos have continuously done throughout the years I've been here," Bruton said. "As players we're blessed, we're extremely blessed to play the game that we love and have the benefits that we have. It only serves us right to give back in some way, shape or form, give some sort of blessing back to the community. Whether it's talking to a group of kids, in the kitchen cooking up a storm, whatever it may be."