Can you spare a second?

 Tonight I had the pleasure of attending a charity event where the main objective is collecting school supplies for families in need. " 3rd Annual school supply drive bowling event" was hosted by Ms. Sassy Sue (KMOJ radio 89.9) and Jerome Simpson (WR for the Minnesota Vikings) at the Skydeck grill and lanes.
 I stumbled across the event on Facebook it looked like a great night out for my wife, kids, and me. Donate school supplies get free bowling and gaming? Sure I like to help people out, and my kids like bowling and video games. I stopped at a local store and grabbed a couple of backpacks a few notebooks some pens pencils etc...
 When we got to the event it seemed like so much more than just a fundraiser. The people working at the donation receiving table were also giving back. My wife children and I were immediately greeted warmly with smiles. My children were given bags of licorice, and game cards to use in the arcade.
 First we played a few video games, and then we headed to the bowling lane. The event planner Galie Juddunath came over and said hi. She also let us know she wasn't sure what time Jerome Simpson and his teammate Fred Evans were going to come. We finished our game of bowling ate some food and headed back to the arcade.

  A short time later Galie let us know Jerome was on his way, and before I knew it he was there bowling, talking with fans, taking pictures for fans. Jerome was all smiles all night long. Being as I am an autograph collector I asked a few of the people working with the event if they knew anything about a signing. They asked around and came back to me with this...

Jerome Simpson

 Jamarca Sanford

 Mistral Raymond(left) Fred Evans (right)

 The bowling pin had been signed by Jerome Simpson and Fred Evans and was given to me. I was absolutely blown away by the kindness of these people.  Galie came over to ask if I had gotten my pictures of Jerome signed. I told her I had not, "come on I'll introduce you" she said. Again I was blown away; here I was standing in front of, next to and taking pictures with four of the Minnesota Vikings. Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford gladly signed the bowling pin and took  pictures with me.
Lastly Galie introduced me to Jerome Simpson. I brought 3 photos with me a 16x20 and two 8x10's. I told Jerome I was very happy to hear how fan friendly he had been all training camp long. I asked him to sign my 16x20 and he was happy to and really liked the way it looked hand colored (I do that in Photoshop a lot).

 Then I told Jerome that I had two more pictures, I asked him if he would like to keep one. He said yes and seemed to really like the picture, I then asked Jerome to sign the other 8x10 and give it to a random person that was attending the event. He signed it right there, and seemed very appreciative of me asking him to do that.
 All in all I had a great night. Here are these athletes who spent their night with fans after a long day of practice, they were unselfish, approachable, outgoing, and positive. I want to sincerely thank Galie Jaddunath, Jerome Simpson, Fred Evans, Mistral Raymond, Jamarca Sanford, and everyone else that donated their time, their money, and their hearts to the families and children who need school supplies. I for one will be able to spare time for this annual event every year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you all enjoyed it, and have a wonderful day.

Chad Johnson

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