Chevron Fuel Your School
Defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Akiem Hicks delivered classroom supplies and toys to Mrs. Rillieux's pre-kindergaten class at AP Tureaud Elementary School as a part of Chevron's Fuel Your School program.
The New Orleans Saints have teamed up with Chevron's annual program that will take place during the month of October. When consumers fuel up with eight or more gallons at participating Chevron and Texaco stations one dollar from each sale up to $500,000 will go directly to education projects in St. Tammany, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Lafourche, Terrebonne, Lafayette, Jefferson and Vermillion Parishes.
Hicks and Jordan surprised the pre-k students as they walked in the classroom in the middle of a "Who Dat" chant with two boxes full of supplies and science-related games. After the children explored the boxes, they each picked a toy and went to their tables where Hicks and Jordan showed the students how to use them.
Educators can submit project requests at DonorsChoose.org for possible funding. You can track how much money is being raised, funded projects and feedback at www.FuelYourSchool.com.
Playworks
The New Orleans Saints participated in two Playworks school visits on Tuesday. The first took place at Edgar P. Harney Spirit of Excellence Academy during the students' recess periods. Tackle Bryce Harris, tackle Marcel Jones and guard Senio Kelemente played with first and fifth-grade students during their lunch recess. The players participated in games of basketball and football with the younger students and a large game a dodgeball with the older students.
In the afternoon, Justin Drescher played games of four square and abracadabra-freeze tag with students at Arthur Ashe Elementary.
The players interacted with nearly 150 students between the two Playworks visits on Tuesday. Playworks Louisiana launched in the fall of 2008 and serves more than 2,200 area students.
"We are a national non-profit. We basically partner with schools to preserve the value of play and recess in schools," said Dana Greenup-Deal, Program Director of Playworks. "We use this time to teach the kids social skills, conflict resolutions skills, team building and also just to get them physically active on the playground. We're in 380 schools across the country and we are growing every year."
Academy Sports and Outdoors Sports Clinic with Kevin Reddick
Linebacker Kevin Reddick visited the Academy Sport and Outdoors in Gretna to participate in their Outdoors Sports Clinic with more than 20 children.
The children learned about techniques that Saints players use during practice and members of the Saints Youth Programs Department taught the children a wide range of skills and drills all related to football.
"Hopefully, it will help them and the main thing today was basically showing them fundamentals like how to tackle," Reddick said. "We showed them the stance with linebackers, how to make a proper tackle and the proper angle on the running back."
Reddick took time after the clinic to sign autographs and take photos with the participants and encouraged them to listen to their parents and do their best in school.
"It was a great day today," Reddick said. "I think the kids learned a lot. Definitely was a good amount of people out here giving their kids the opportunity to learn about football."
