NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kamerion Wimbley knows the important role that foster families can play in the lives of young people because he benefitted directly from such support.
The seven-year pro showed his appreciation on Tuesday evening by hosting "Shop with a Titan" at Walmart on Dickerson Pike. Wimbley and several Titans players buddied up with 50 children and youth, ages 4 to 17 years old, from Youth Villages of Middle Tennessee.
"A lot of these kids come from foster homes, a lot of them are currently in foster homes," Wimbley said. "At one point, I was actually inside a foster home, so this is something that's special to me and I think it makes a lot of these kids' days to be able to come out here and meet an NFL player and meet other Titans and just go enjoy themselves, have a little shopping spree. I think it brings joy to them and their families during this time of year."
Wimbley, who joined the Titans this season, held a similar event last year in Oakland. He said he was grateful for the opportunity to continue the effort and for the support he received from teammates Jordan Babineaux, Jurrell Casey, Michael Griffin, Sen'Derrick Marks, Derrick Morgan, Coty Sensabaugh, Scott Solomon, Dajohn Harris, Keyunta Dawson, Leger Douzable and Thaddeous Gibson.
"I felt that this was a very important thing for me to be able to give back to the kids and youth for Christmas," Wimbley said. "A lot of kids wouldn't be able to celebrate Christmas in this way, so it's very special to me."
The players guided the children and youth through the store with $100 gift cards so they could pick out toys, bicycles, sporting goods and other items. The players also signed autographs and posed for photos.
Greg Schott, development manager for Youth Villages said the organization was "ecstatic" about the opportunity for the youth it serves to be hosted by Wimbley.
"This has just been fantastic," Schott said. "The players have been great. They've been so nice in signing autographs for the kids and signing footballs. Whether the (players) know it or not, this leaves a huge impact. It's a positive thing for them to see."
Wimbley said the event was a way to help foster families with their goals of giving the children and youth, many of whom have encounter physical or emotional abuse, a positive experience. He thanked Walmart for working with him and Wendy's for donating the food that was served to the children and teens before they shopped with the Titans.
"I believe there's a lot of special people who work with foster kids and they play an important part in these children's lives and helping them develop and become productive in society, so it's great for them to be able to work with this program, to bring these kids out here and allow them a chance to go have fun and go on a shopping spree."
About Youth Villages:
Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. We help more than 20,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C. Click here for more information about Youth Villages.
