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Kids flock to see hometown hero
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
Food, door prizes, plenty of fun and a chance to meet an NBA star lured hundreds of area residents to the field across from the Washington Boys & Girls Club Saturday afternoon, for the Fourth Annual Damien Wilkins’ ‘Fun Day.’
Wilkins, a Washington native who now plays for the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, and a gaggle of volunteers had plenty of activities, door prizes and free food lined up for area children.
The kids danced, played musical chairs, slid down the inflatable slide and jumped on the moon bounce for hours, all in the presence of their local sports hero.
“It’s a great day because there’s a lot of fun things to do,” Jirah Woolard said. “I got to meet Damien Wilkins and he’s a real cool guy.”
Wilkins also signed autographs for the kids, and gave away everything from posters, to signed basketballs, to autographed jerseys.
“I do this for the kids,” Wilkins said. “Washington is my hometown and the people of this town did so much to help me when I was growing up, so it’s nice to be able to give back.
“I want these kids to see that I care. I love to see the smiles on the kids faces. That’s what I enjoy about ‘Fun Day’”
There certainly were plenty of smiles as more than 500 kids turned out for the event.
“It’s awesome,” said Javon Hagins, who came for the food and prizes, and for a chance to meet one of his NBA heroes.
“I saw Damien, and I was like, ‘Yo Damien Wilkins’, and he gave me a high-five. That was the best part of the day.”
Most ‘Fun Day’ participants left Saturday’s event satisfied with the entertainment provided by Wilkins. All went home impressed with Damien Wilkins, the person.
“He’s mad cool,” 14-year old Janesha Peele said. “He didn’t have to do any of this. But he came back to show his appreciation for our town. He’s a great guy.”
Wilkins, a Washington native who now plays for the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, and a gaggle of volunteers had plenty of activities, door prizes and free food lined up for area children.
The kids danced, played musical chairs, slid down the inflatable slide and jumped on the moon bounce for hours, all in the presence of their local sports hero.
“It’s a great day because there’s a lot of fun things to do,” Jirah Woolard said. “I got to meet Damien Wilkins and he’s a real cool guy.”
Wilkins also signed autographs for the kids, and gave away everything from posters, to signed basketballs, to autographed jerseys.
“I do this for the kids,” Wilkins said. “Washington is my hometown and the people of this town did so much to help me when I was growing up, so it’s nice to be able to give back.
“I want these kids to see that I care. I love to see the smiles on the kids faces. That’s what I enjoy about ‘Fun Day’”
There certainly were plenty of smiles as more than 500 kids turned out for the event.
“It’s awesome,” said Javon Hagins, who came for the food and prizes, and for a chance to meet one of his NBA heroes.
“I saw Damien, and I was like, ‘Yo Damien Wilkins’, and he gave me a high-five. That was the best part of the day.”
Most ‘Fun Day’ participants left Saturday’s event satisfied with the entertainment provided by Wilkins. All went home impressed with Damien Wilkins, the person.
“He’s mad cool,” 14-year old Janesha Peele said. “He didn’t have to do any of this. But he came back to show his appreciation for our town. He’s a great guy.”
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| Smiles all around at Wilkins’ fourth ‘Fun Day’ |
