Dean Scott: A reminder of heroism and sacrifice at Jermaine Kearse Foundation fundraiser
As the incoming CEO for Northeastern University–Seattle, I was really looking forward to meeting other community leaders last weekend at the annual fundraiser for the 15 to 1: Jermaine Kearse Foundation. The event was held at the home of Doug and Janet True and, in addition to community leaders, included Jermaine’s talented teammates from the Seahawks. I was really impressed to see Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and others there to enjoy the event and support Jermaine’s efforts to build the foundation and drive its mission to support kids of military parents.
Jermaine has a personal connection to the cause, growing up on a military base before attending the University of Washington and earning his place in the National Football League as wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. The Jermaine Kearse 15 to 1 Foundation’s mission “supports and inspires youth in military families to work hard, persevere and believe in order to overcome adversity and find success through positive choices, experiences and opportunity.”
The fundraiser was a great time and the environment was relaxed and super friendly. Some cool athletic memorabilia was auctioned off to raise money for a really good cause. I didn’t understand how good, though, until the end of the evening.
Toward the end of the event, five children (from ages 6 to 10 years old) introduced themselves and shared the name of their fathers who were killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan. It was incredibly touching to see each child tell us the name of their parent and then their own name.
One little boy took the microphone and said that his father’s name was “Sergeant Joseph Milledge” who died in war. He said his own name was Joey. I was really touched when he said his name was Joey, immediately realizing that he was named after his father.
Little Joey then handed out several American flags to people in the audience and each flag had the name of his father written on it. I received one and brought it here to my office at Northeastern University–Seattle in South Lake Union, where it is already reminding me of heroes and causes far more important than what I do for a living.
Then I looked up Joey’s dad and found out that Sgt. Milledge died in combat in Iraq 6 years earlier, which means that Joey was only one-year-old when his dad died. It hit me with tremendous force that whatever we can do for these kids we need to do. I can’t do everything, but I can and will do something. I’m an educator and represent one of the best universities in the country and in Seattle.
Maybe there is some way I can make a difference in Joey’s life. Encourage him to get a great education in school. Encourage him to prepare well for college and to pursue his dreams. Encourage him to know that he can be anything he wants to be in life. Help facilitate the often difficult process to help pay for an education. If Joey or his mom, Carla, read this someday, I want them to know how much I respect the sacrifice they made and continue to make every single day. It matters deeply to me. Joey and his family matter to me.
– Scott McKinley, Dean and CEO of Northeastern University–Seattle
[Photo Credit: The Fearey Group]