At Western High School in Davie, former Miami Hurricane and current San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jon Feliciano came full circle as he returned to his roots to spearhead a back-to-school supply giveaway. The event, which was part of a collaboration between Feliciano and his alma mater, saw the distribution of 400 backpacks stuffed with school essentials to ensure that the students are well-equipped for the new academic year ahead, with the supplies being handed out personally by Feliciano.
Having been a product of the very community he's now assisting, Feliciano’s initiative highlights his dedication to give back to a place that has played a formative role in his life; he expressed this sentiment in an interview with Local 10, “Not having much, this school and this community has always had my back, so when I made it to the NFL I gave back to the school and the community.” The children also received a secondary benefit, nutritious snacks were given to them in bags designed to illustrate the values of healthy eating habits, a crucial aspect of success both in and out of the classroom.
The gesture extends beyond mere school supplies, as Feliciano's involvement brings a particular joy that he finds personally rewarding, a feeling that is magnified by his experience as a father. "It fills my heart. I got three kids of my own and smiling kids, it does something to you,” Feliciano told WSVN. “When you have your own kids, it changes you and to be able to put a smile on a kid’s face, it’s priceless.”
The back-to-school event was bolstered by the presence of Feeding South Florida, who partnered to distribute 300 snack packs alongside the backpacks, endeavoring to tackle food scarcity especially during the summer months that can impose hardships on families reliant on school-based meal programs, “We’re also here to make sure that kids have food over the weekend, especially during the summer months when it’s difficult to get free breakfast and free lunch at the schools,” explained Paco Velez from Feeding South Florida in an interview with Local 10. The joint effort not only fosters educational readiness but also supports the wellbeing of children as they prepare for a potentially challenging school year.
