On July 31, my new friend Dylan and I had the amazing opportunity to go to Canton, OH and help at a NFL Huddle for 100 event as FUTP 60 and Sleep Number Ambassadors. I didn’t realize just how excited I was until I was in the parking lot outside of the YMCA. As we walked up to the building with my mother as my chaperone, we ran into a familiar face. We met our American Dairy Association Mideast representative, Jan Diamond, and made new friends with the Vice President of the NFL Partnership with FUTP 60, Darcy Nichols, and a Sleep Number representative, Jordan Kruger. Not long after we arrived, the buses rolled in with other students from all over.
As we walked into the gym to get ready, we met the one and only, former NFL Defensive Tackle John Randle. We talked and took a few pictures all until the other kids were ready. To start us off, we heard from some amazing speakers with great stories. They were also memorable lessons on integrity in life. Once they were finished, we all made cards to send out into the community. The cards were to have positive and encouraging messages. Not only were we sending out cards, we were packing bags with prizes as well. Packing the bags with all of the kids was so much fun, especially when the younger ones made it a competition. Before we parted ways, the kids got a goodbye surprise. Every one of them got to keep one of the bags they packed, as well as a Sleep Number Kids pillow. I think everyone was going to have a good night sleep that night!
Once we were finished at the YMCA, we made our way to a local Sleep Number store where we filmed a commercial. Dylan and I both had so much fun with the field crew and, again, John Randle during filming. Being chosen as a Sleep Number Ambassador was such a fun, amazing and educational experience to be a part of. I learned so much on the benefits of sleep and what it can do for your health!
Paige
Summit Ambassador
Ohio
8th Grade
I joined Paige at the YMCA to pack bags for the local community. The bags were filled with a football, three different recipes that are tasty and heathy to the human heart, an NFL Huddle for 100 water bottle, a YMCA membership, some NFL cards, a Fuel Up to Play 60 shirt, a sleep mask, some eye black stickers and a Sleep Number pillow. Other kids came from surrounding states to help pack the bags. We were given some cards to write an encouraging message to someone. After that, the cards were colored and put into each individual bag.
When all the bags were packed each kid got one to take home, and the rest of the bags were sent to students who may be underprivileged. We also listened to NFL players speak on how character is important and how you act matters. They also explained that if you do something bad it will spread like a crystal when it is dropped, and that a role model can help encourage you to be the person you want to be in life. During my time at the event, they filmed a commercial for Sleep Number to explain how sleep is important to our wellness. My overall experience was great and I learned a lot from the event about sleep and health!
Dylan
Summit Ambassador
Ohio
6th Grade