Johnson steps up for local students
REGINA Giving away backpacks to underprivileged kids strikes close to home for Jovon Johnson.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive back remembers growing up in a low-income family in Erie, Pa., where items like backpacks were hard to come by.
“As a kid growing up in the environment that I did, I used to carry my books to school and I would see all of my friends with backpacks,” Johnson said after Thursday’s practice. “I didn’t pay much attention to it or understand the dynamic of it or what it really means because I never had that stuff anyway.
“Now that I’m older and I see what kids need and how it could help them focus in school, it was something that I wanted to do and to help out.”
Johnson’s back-to-school-giveaway will see 520 kids in Regina and Saskatoon presented with backpacks filled with school supplies. The first giveaway was held Wednesday when 45 children got backpacks at the Riders store.
“A lot of the kids were telling me that I’m now their favourite player and that’s always encouraging to hear,” said the 34-year-old Johnson. “One of the kids even called me his ‘bro.’ Those kind of things go a long way because you never know the impact you can make on a kid’s life. Just to see how appreciative they were, the comments I got from the kids and their parents and the smiles on their faces was priceless.”
Johnson has partnered with businesses like Staples Canada, Regina’s Lipsett Cartage and the TD Bank in Saskatoon for the initiative. On Saturday, he will be at the Albert Street Staples store in Regina from noon to 2 p.m. for a barbecue as part of Staples Canada School Drive Fundraiser, which raises funds and school supplies for students in need.
Johnson plans to personally distribute the backpacks in Regina next week and in Saskatoon on Sept. 10. He is also still accepting supplies and can be contacted via social media if anyone is looking to donate.
“It just makes you feel really good about yourself, knowing that you have the ability to help so many people and do something that allows them to focus on school and their education,” he said.