Vikings in the Community: St. Paul Youngsters Fitted for New Shoes

[Viktor]

Edwards, Vikings Equip Children’s Home Society Youth for Fall in Minnesota


After spending a week preparing the Vikings defense for Minnesota’s season opener, Defensive Coordinator George Edwards spent an afternoon prepping young people for the school year.


George and his wife, Jami, partnered with UnitedHealthcare on Sept. 6 to distribute new coats, Nike shoes, shirts, backpacks and other daily essentials to young people at Children’s Home Society of Minnesota.


The project was made possible by a grant from UnitedHealthcare to Edwards’ program with Dreambuilders.


Edwards was joined by current Vikings players Tashawn Bower, Aviante Collins, Devante Downs and Cam Smith.


“It’s a lot of fun. Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and the players coming out and donating their time and interacting with them, it’s awesome,” said Edwards. “It’s just an amazing event for the kids, and hopefully they’ll find some things that can help them throughout the school year.”


Children’s Home Society of Minnesota in 2018 served more than 200 children and youth through foster care, adoption and child-specific recruitment, which works specifically to find adoptive homes for older children and sibling groups.


Alexis Oberdorfer, Executive Director for Children’s Home Society of Minnesota, pointed out organic interactions that were taking place between the Vikings players and young people, and she emphasized how impactful the experience can be, particularly for older children.


“Going back to school can be anxiety-provoking for many of our kids, so if we can help build them up, if we can help celebrate them and make this special and have them go back to school in style and sporting new kicks and new jerseys and new backpacks, it’s such a great thing,” Oberdorfer explained. “Our kids have trauma histories and have experienced adversity, so any time that we can give them positive role models, be able to share that experience with other kids who have been in the same place, is an important thing to be able to do.”


Collins was particularly animated while meeting the youth and their families, and he stayed past the event’s conclusion to pose for photos. After holding a baby for a couple of minutes and helping a shy toddler feel more at ease, the Vikings tackle was asked about his affinity for working with children.


“I’m a huge family person … and I’m a very talkative person. Go in a room and it’s quiet, and I can’t do it,” Collins responded with a laugh. “So, I’m very good at talking to people, bringing the energy. I’m a big kid myself, so I know how it is to interact with kids. I just try to take that energy into every community event that I do.


“It’s kind of hard to put myself in these kids’ shoes because I can’t understand what they are going through, [but] I try to just be as positive as possible and try to just keep them motivated,” Collins added.


George and Jami have committed to giving back wherever coaching has taken their family. In addition to the Children’s Home Society, the couple has also worked with Twin Cities area homeless shelters.


“Anything that we can do to reach out and help, we’re willing to do,” George said.