The Jackson 5’s number one hit from 1970, “I Want You Back” pumped through the speakers at the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, pulsing positive energy through the hundreds of kids, mothers, fathers and family members. For the fifth straight year, Russell Westbrook delivered on young Michael Jackson’s request, and came back to the Boys & Girls Club for his annual Thanksgiving Dinner.
The line of kids waiting eagerly for a plate stretched across the gymnasium, with each one peeking around the side of the queue to catch a glimpse at the Thunder point guard while he ladled out potatoes. As Westbrook greeted each child and made sure they said please and thank you to every member who served them a Thanksgiving delicacy, he also surprised a few of them.
“He’s a part of their life,” said A. Jaye Johnson, Boys & Girls Club Sr. Director, Community Relations & Facilities. “He sees these kids and it’s not some stranger off the street. He remembers them. He shocked a couple kids because he actually called them by name.”
“It’s crazy. Every year I see kids grow up. It’s truly amazing to be able to see kids and ask them how they’re doing and how school is going,” Westbrook said
After every plate was filled, Westbrook stopped by and personally thanked every volunteer who helped serve food on Tuesday night. A throng of children followed him to every station, latching onto the Thunder star with desperate excitement.
Rick Stevenson, a father of three children who attend the Boys & Girls Club sat satiated and content, admiring the scene around him. The location, the event and the host all have gone above and beyond to help his children and others in the Oklahoma City community.
“(The Boys & Girls Club) has been a positive impact on my kid’s lives,” Stevenson said. “The friends that they have that go here, it helps keep them out of trouble. It helps keep them out of situations where they could be hanging out on the street corner doing something that could cause major troubles in their lives.”
“I’m glad that (Westbrook) does things like this,” Stevenson continued. “He gets out and experiences the community. They get to love on him and he gets to love on them.”
The Thanksgiving event is one of the many ways that Westbrook tries to touch and impact the lives of Oklahoma City youth. The yearly tradition lives on in Oklahoma City, and Westbrook’s event through his Why Not? Foundation always runs like a well-oiled machine to ensure that every kid enjoyed turkey, stuffing, vegetables and dessert. Westbrook lingered on that last one, remembering his favorite Thanksgiving dishes as a child.
“I used to try to get through the regular food to try to get to the desserts,” Westbrook grinned, before walking back to his place in the serving line, ready yet again to give back to the youth.
Full video: Westbrook Serves Up Thanksgiving