A heartwarming surprise: Students gifted free coats

Fourth and fifth graders at Dunlap Elementary received a special treat when Seattle Seahawks’ Darrell Taylor surprised them with new winter coats on November 16. Students in kindergarten through third grade will also receive coats, ensuring all 270 students at Dunlap will have a warm winter jacket this season.

Taylor, who joined the Seahawks as a defensive end in 2020, said the event was the first time he had the opportunity to interact with kids.

“It’s great to get out here with the kids, and I think it’s great to give back to the community,” he said. “I wish I could have done more since I didn’t play last year, but COVID was all over the place.”

Rogers Greene, a family support worker at Dunlap, helped organize the event after someone in the district told him about the opportunity. With a $10,000 donation from UnitedHealthcare and the aid of Dreambuilders Foundation volunteers, Taylor, Green, and Dunlap staff members handed out dozens of jackets and goodie bags to excited students.

“My role is to remove barriers for families in Seattle Public Schools,” Greene said. “Today, it was a coat giveaway, so we’re removing a barrier to a student … being able to participate in school in a comfortable way.”

As students lined up for autographs and pictures with Taylor, several students handed him handwritten letters and words of thanks on notecards. Taylor said handing out the jackets and interacting with students made him feel closer to the community.

“Getting to meet the staff and getting to meet the people who put this event together … it’s a great opportunity for me to be here. I’m happy to everyone who welcomed me with open arms.”