A nonprofit founded by former NBA players helped serve Thanksgiving dinners Saturday to families in Melrose.

The holiday meals were put together by Young Athlete Inc., which was founded by Rod Strickland and Steve Burtt. The third cofounder was their childhood coach, LaMarre Dyson.

"It's good to be able to do it," Burtt said. "Someone did it for me when I was younger."

The nonprofit has been around since 1997 providing afterschool programs and other initiatives to help children. This is the first year they've served Thanksgiving dinners.

The executive director of the NBA Players' Union, Michele Roberts, grew up nearby and is thankful for the help the group provides.

"I appreciate it when anybody is able to lend a hand to this community," Roberts says. "The players that I work for are committed to exactly this kind of program."

The Police Benevolent Association also stepped up by serving food and donating turkeys to raffle off. Others volunteers from as far as Connecticut to lend a hand.