NJIT and New York Red Bulls Join Forces in Shopping Spree for Rising High School Students
As part of its partnership with the New York Red Bulls (RBNY), NJIT hosted a shopping spree at the Target in Kearny for ten rising high school students. As a surprise, players from the hometown club accompanied the kids as they geared up for the upcoming school year.
The event, which also included NJIT students and the university’s mascot, served as an opportunity to interact and support the community.
One by one students arrived at Target and were paired with Red Bull players. Matthew Hernandez arrived accompanied by his father Peter Hernandez and little brother.
They were paired with RBNY soccer players, Tom Barlow and Hassan Ndam. “It's amazing,” said Barlow after spending part of his afternoon with the Hernandez family. “It's a privilege to work within the community and Red Bull does such a good job with giving us the opportunities to help out around the community and help others and to give back because we're so fortunate to be able to play soccer for a living.
“So to do our part and put a smile on other people's faces, it means the world.”
Matthew took home a new backpack, notebooks, shoes, school uniforms, lunch bags, pens of different colors and many other necessary items used throughout the school year. He will be attending Central High School in Newark in the upcoming year and was surprised to have current RBNY players help him select school items to take home.
“Honestly, I was kind of surprised to be going through something like this,” he said. “I was so surprised to see [soccer players] in person.”
Matthew’s dad used the time to get to know the players and even offered them tips on fishing around the New Jersey area. “This is a very unique experience, you don't get this every day,” said Mr. Hernandez. “It’s unknown at first, but it's great and also meeting new people. It's a great experience and the kids loved it.”
Barlow and Ndam took the time to double-check with Matthew if he had everything to take home. Barlow later admitted that it was tough figuring out the list since it’s been many years since he had to buy back-to-school materials.
“It’s been a while since I've been back in school, so it was hard trying to remember everything to give, but it was awesome meeting these guys and getting them ready for the school year coming up,” said Barlow. “Getting a chance to hang out with them for about an hour, hour and a half. I think they're ready, they seem excited. I’m excited for them.”
Matthew is ready to start the school year and already has his eyes on what he wants to do in the future.
“I’m looking forward to focusing on technology and making my own game,” he said.
NJIT hopes to one day see Matthew in its video game design program.
