Maurice Kelly can relate the students at Renton’s Dimmitt Middle School who’s families might need a little extra help with providing a Thanksgiving meal this year.
The ex-Seahawks player and current senior director for player development said that his family struggled at time, even though he grew up in a two-parent household.
“We definitely relate to these kids,” said Kelly. “I think we all see ourselves in these kids.”
Kelly and other members of the Seattle Seahawks were doing double duty community service at the middle school on Tuesday, passing out Thanksgiving baskets to 500 Dimmitt and Skyway community youth and their families.
The football players were representing their team as well as the fraternity to which some of them belong, Omega Psi Phi. The Seahawks partnered with the Greater King County Police Activities League (PAL), United Grocers, A Better Seattle, A Foundation for Kids, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the school to provide the meal baskets.
“We asked families to really look at whether they were in need for something,” said Ann Goos, executive director of PAL. “And so we did it basically because this is a family here at Dimmitt. We knew that if you were a Dimmitt family and you wanted a turkey dinner, you could get one.”
The Seahawks approached PALs because they have a professional mentor at the school and asked if they would be interested in passing out the Thanksgiving baskets.
Dimmitt Principal John Schmitz loved the idea and was very appreciative of the generosity.
There was a lot of excitement around the event from the kids, Schmitz said.
The school’s PAL mentor, Kendrick Glover, works very closely with students and they helped facilitate the event escorting families to their baskets and through the line.
“Dimmitt Middle School has a high percentage of students that receive free or reduced lunch,” said Schmitz. “So, that usually means that some of our families have economic difficulties, especially during this time when the economy is down as well. This is just a small way that the community can give back and help those folks.”
A woman, who only wanted to be known by her first name, Marites, was at the school collecting her Thanksgiving meal with her son, who is a Dimmitt sixth grader.
Her family recently came to the United States from the Philippines and she learned about the idea of Thanksgiving on the radio.
She didn’t understand the idea at first saying,”Thanksgiving for what, that’s what I’m asking for.”
But, now she understands and is very thankful for the generosity behind the gift of a meal.
She heard about the turkey give-away at a parent/teacher conference and signed up.
“It’s very useful to us,” Marites said.
Shay Smith was also at the event picking up her basket of goodies. She was referred to the program by friends that have students at Dimmitt.
“I think it’s a good idea for people who are unfortunate to have a Thanksgiving and to supply food for them,” Smith said.
The Seahawks’ drum line played as families moved in and out of the gymnasium to collect their food. Blitz, the team’s mascot, entertained attendees.
Among the players participating in the community service were Roy Lewis, Ben Obomanu and Russel Okung.
“That’s one of the things growing up I always said, if I have the opportunity to give back, I’m going to give back with a smile on my face,” Kelly said.
