Shop With A Jock Photo Gallery
Dec. 10, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State student-athletes got into the holiday spirit last week as they participated in the annual Junior Seau Foundation's Shop with a Jock program last Tuesday. Over 100 Aztec student-athletes from all 18 SDSU athletic teams participated in the event that was held at the Target store in Mission Valley.
"This is the one time of the year that I love to see our student-athletes come together to share the spirit of the holiday with the community," assistant director of academics Bre White said. "I am glad that Junior (Seau) allows us this opportunity every year to give back to the community."
The Junior Seau Foundation teams with Target and sponsors to give 200 underprivileged children from local Boys and Girls Clubs the opportunity to shop for gifts for their family. Each child is paired with an athlete from the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Padres, NFL alumni group, U.S. Olympians, San Diego State or other local athletic teams.
"Target was the best place to have this event," White explained. "It allowed the kids to get toys and much more for themselves and their brothers and sisters."
Following a festive dinner, a visit with Santa and other fun-filled games and activities, the children are paired with an athlete who accompanies them throughout the store on a holiday shopping spree. Each child is given a $100 gift card to purchase items for themselves and members of their family.
"It was good to be around the kids and help them shop and hear about their different situations," said Aztec track and field's Eshaunna Robinson. "It was really fun to see what they picked out."
"It's a great experience to get to connect with the community and help out people who are less fortunate," said SDSU football student-athlete Romeo Horn. "It was really fun to be with the little kids. They're so energetic and have a lot to say."
Horn, participating in the event for the second time, found he had more in common with the child he was paired with than he would have thought.
"It was really cool because the girl I was paired up with was from the same hometown and was born in the same place that I was," Horn said. "It's a great experience. I think it's a good experience for everybody."