Before the Wareham High School Vikings took the field for their annual Thanksgiving Day game against Bourne, the team took to Lindsey’s Family Restaurant for its annual pay-it-forward meal.

The players get a ginormous meal from Lindsey’s free of charge. In return, each player brought a toy for the restaurant's toy drive.

“A lot of kids in the community don’t have a lot. So, just giving everything we can really builds a sense of community because we may not have the money or privileges that other towns around us may have,” said Owen Braley, senior co-captain. “We can picture ourselves in that situation. Some of us have been in those situations.”

This pay-it-forward event has gone on since 2005. Each year, the drive alternates between toys and canned goods.

“We thought, ‘What can we do for the Vikings and people in need,’” said Mary Labonte, the restaurant’s general manager. “It teaches them that you don’t get anything for free in life. You have to pay-it-forward.”

Labonte started the drive when her nephew was on the team.

“It kind of happened organically. Lindsey’s had the idea, and the kids who worked here said they wanted to do that, and it just grew out of that,” coach Dan Nault said.

The toys the Vikings donated will go to the Dick Melloni Toy Drive and Turning Point. Roughly 40 toys were donated by 36 players.

“It’s the smallest group we’ve ever had,” Labonte said. “We’ve had up to 75 players in here.”

Labonte and coach Dan Nault attribute the lower number to the school’s lower enrollment.

Lindsey’s connection with the team goes beyond the meal. Labonte also runs the gridiron snack bar where the restaurant donates clam chowder, hot chocolate, utensils and other products for the team to sell.

“Lindsey’s always treats kids in my program really well. They hire them and all kinds of things,” Nault said.

“The funds aren't the best in Wareham anymore, so we’re able to subsidize socks, the things for their helmets – the decals, and things like that,” Labonte explained. “I’m a football mom. Between you and me, if I could put a football uniform on, I’d be out on the field.”

Nault tells his players about the toy drive at the beginning of the season.

“It’s funny. Every year, the coach has to mention, ‘don’t forget about girl toys,’” Labonte said. “They do tend to walk in with the baseball bats, the toy trucks, the fire engines, footballs.”

Lindsey’s will continue the toy drive until roughly 10 days before Christmas. Customers and employees are encouraged to donate. The drive started the week of Nov. 18.

“I have a gentleman, every year, he [brings] in a bicycle, and runs out the door. He won’t let me thank him, get his name – nothing,” Labonte said.