EAGAN, Minn. – Teri Hockenson didn't take the decision lightly.

T.J. Hockenson's mother moved her eyes from one hoodie color to another, deep in thought, before ultimately putting a bright pink child's sweatshirt in her shopping cart.

Later that afternoon, her choice was affirmed when a young lady from the Southside Boys & Girls Club lifted the hoodie from a brand-new backpack and immediately lit up. She shyly but happily approached Teri, her dark pigtails bouncing, and the two shared an emotional embrace.

In that moment, it didn't matter that Teri and the young girl didn't speak the same language.

"That was so special, just to see the glow in these kids' eyes," Teri later said. "We spent the afternoon doing something that was fun, but what a great impact it had."

Teri and four other "Vikings moms" – Elaine (Justin Jefferson), Vurgess (Aaron Jones, Sr.), Keisha (Jordan Addison) and Jen (Camryn Bynum) – teamed up with SCHEELS to support young people from the Boys & Girls Club preparing for the 2024-25 school year.

SCHEELS and the Vikings provided the moms with gift cards to shop for clothing (and the occasional Barbie doll or LEGO set), and SCHEELS additionally donated new school supplies and an inventory of shoes the students could choose from.

The Vikings hosted the group at TCO Stadium, where Jefferson, Jones, Bynum and Hockenson joined their moms and the youth on the field for lawn games, football drills and the special gifting.

"It was fabulous," Elaine said. "They're special kids, and we wanted to make today very special for them. So us moms, we shopped 'til we dropped."

She noted it "brought back so many memories" of preparing Justin and his brothers, Rickey and Jordan, for school.

"Just to give back to these kids and see their warm faces, it meant a lot to me," Elaine said, emotion in her voice. "It's always good to give back. There are so many unfortunate kids, and the more that we do, the better [chance we have] at helping every kid out there. So if we can reach everyone, then we're doing our jobs."

Southside Boys & Girls Club Director Mark Graves emphasized the impact of such a special day on the children, whether 7 years old or 17.

"This is a special, special event. Not only for the young people to get a chance to meet the parents and the players, but to have the opportunity to be on the field. To have the opportunity to see that somebody cares about them as they're going back to school and showing them so much love," Graves said. "I really want to say 'thank you' to everyone involved – from the Vikings organization to the players, the moms, [SCHEELS], everybody that has worked on this event.

"There's nothing like that feeling, knowing you're going to be looking good," Graves added of the peer pressure for young people to have the "right" clothing and shoes. "Seeing the smiles on their faces, I know they're gonna be starting school off the right way. They're gonna be feeling good about themselves, and they're gonna be looking good. And the parents are going to be so appreciative that you guys took the time to do this."

With Jones being an offseason addition for the Vikings, Vurgess appreciated the opportunity to meet other team moms in-person for the first time, as well as join her son for the charitable event.

Aaron and his twin brother Alvin have their own foundation, A & A All The Way, and the Vikings back-to-school event reminded Vurgess of a recent shoe drive the family did in El Paso, Texas, gifting more than 800 pairs of shoes to young people in need.

"We've always given back," she said. "Giving back is what you do. We are tremendously blessed, so it's always good to be a blessing to others.

"But this is the first time I've ever done [a team] event like this, and it means a lot to me," Vurgess added. "For the organization to get the moms involved and to spend some time with their sons and put smiles on the kids' faces, it's an amazing experience."

The event especially touched the heart of Teri, who retired just last May from a career in education.

Teri was a longtime high school teacher for special education students, and she later became a consultant for educators in the special education space.

"I think the biggest thing is that you see so many kids from [diverse] backgrounds, and just to know that even if there's one kid you had a positive impact on, it was so rewarding, she said. "Being a teacher is tough. It's long hours […] but the kids become your own. You become very invested.

"I remember going to school myself, and when my kids went to school, it's always very special to be able to go with a new outfit and a new pair of shoes," Teri later added. "And unfortunately, there are a lot of kids who don't have that opportunity because of their family economic [situation], and things are so pricey, so this was very, very enjoyable."

She quipped that shopping "was a little stressful."

"I took it kind of seriously because I wanted to get things I knew they would like and enjoy," she said. "Today has just been a great time."

Elaine has become a leader for the Vikings moms, just like her son has become a leader within the locker room.

And when it came to shopping? She set an example once again – and had plenty of fun doing it.

"The clothes were my favorite part. Period. The clothes," Elaine said, laughing. "It was a little rough because I don't usually shop for girls, but I had so much fun doing it.

"I love looking at their faces when they're opening up their bags and seeing their school supplies, the clothing," she added. "Great thanks to the Vikings and SCHEELS for inviting us into the store and letting us shop."