Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the United States, professional athletes from all sports leagues have found ways to put their fortunes to good use.
One such player is Miami Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns, who is trying to help high school seniors celebrate their graduation despite the current trends of self-isolation and social distancing.
Hurns has been working with his mother, Erica Wilson, to try to give high school seniors special memories regarding graduation despite the lack of normalcy in the world right now. Wilson was the one who first inspired Hurns to take action.
“They were robbed of their senior activities,” she said. “I found it very profound on my end. I was a high school dropout, and I didn’t get a chance to walk across the stage or participate. So it touched me very deeply.”
Hurns has now used his charitable foundation, 88 Blessings, to create the S.O.A.R. Movement, which will help 17 deserving high school seniors who will be heading to college in the coming months.
Winners will receive college prep care packages, which will include simple necessities like sheets, utensils and shoes. Winners will also receive heftier aid such as financial education and health care.
“Things that can help them out,” Hurns said. “They’re going into situations where they’re not going to know a lot of things. Everything I try to do is something I can relate to. When I went to college and the NFL, I had to learn a lot about taxes, credit cards, whatever. We’re going to be involved.”
Hurns and his mother started the 88 Blessings foundation to help single-parent families overcome hardships. Now, it looks like they’re looking to help the youth as well.
While the current pandemic has negatively impacted the lives of so many people around the world, it’s good to know that there are those like Hurns and his mother to try to help lighten the load for those in need.
