As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to quickly shape everyday life, many people are out of work and hoping for this all to end. On the other side of things, there are many front line workers who are working harder and longer than ever before, putting their own lives in jeopardy.
Additionally, without the aid of public schools, many parents are at a loss when it comes to child care and a source of food every day. Los Angeles Rams players Michael Brockers and Obo Okoronkwo have decided to give back to their hometown community of Houston and help both parents, children and nurses in need.
According to Chase Isaacs of TheRams.com, Brockers has donated $10,000 to the Houston Independent School District Relief Fund. The money will go towards providing meals for students. Brockers appreciates being able to feed children, but also understands his donation is relieving stress for their parents:
“For me, understanding it as a parent, that if I didn’t have those meals or my kids needed those meals and they couldn’t get them…I know how stressful that would be,” Brockers told the Chronicle. “Feeding kids means something to me. But at the same time, looking out for the parents and trying to reduce their stress is a big key for me as well.”
Brockers related to many parents and children as he recalled relying on school meals while growing up in a single-parent household. Now a father of three, he appreciates knowing where his children’s next meal will be coming from.
For Okoronkwo, he is closely tied to the health care side of combating this virus. Both his mother and sister are nurses, giving him a better understanding of what front line workers are experiencing during this pandemic.
Okoronkwo decided to deliver meals to nurses throughout the Houston area and is looking forward to spreading some joy:
“It’s going to be fun,” Okoronkwo told the Houston Chronicle before the first meal drop-off. “It’s going to be really heartwarming. My sister and mother are nurses so it’s going to be fulfilling to give back to those on the front line. We figured everybody loves Turkey Leg Hunt, so we wanted to give them top-of-the-line eats. We just wanted to do something for the nurses and the city.”
During these trying times, Brockers and Okoronkwo have set great examples of what sports and community leaders look like. Hopefully through their assistance, many people’s worries will be relieved.
