Eden Prairie, MN (August 21, 2014) – Vikings Executive Vice President - Legal Affairs and Chief Administrative OfficerKevin Warren, the highest-ranking African-American business executive with an NFL team, his wife,Greta**, and family donated 825 backpacks filled with school supplies to Lucy Craft Laney Community School in Minneapolis today.
This is the third consecutive year that the Warrens have distributed the backpacks, which are age-appropriate for primary, elementary and junior high students, as well as school supplies for the full school year, to the entire student body. The donation comes as part of the Warren family's broader commitment in 2012 to "adopt" Lucy Laney, a school that is predominantly African-American and has 98% of its student population coming from underserved communities. In the past three years the Warrens have donated approximately 2,300 backpacks filled with school supplies for the full school year, basketball uniforms for both the boys and girls basketball teams and school uniforms for some individual students. The family has also agreed to design and fund the cost for an on-site computer lab that will be dedicated in early 2015. As added fun for this year's donation, the Warrens will also bring an ice cream truck to the school on Thursday for all the students to enjoy.
"Our family is extremely grateful to all of the students, faculty and administrators at Lucy Craft Laney elementary school that have allowed us to continue to be a valued member of their family," said Warren. "Lucy Craft Laney is a special school, and we are blessed to be able to help the students with the necessary school supplies required to succeed in the classroom. These kids are very talented and we hope our support will allow them to flourish during the upcoming school year."
"Parents have expressed great gratitude and relief in knowing that the Warrens have returned to Laney for the third straight year to bless these children with a backpack filled with school supplies," said Lucy Craft Laney Principal Mauri Melander. "Whether through the Warrens' commitment or the Vikings continued involvement with the school with events like this summer's playground build, the organization and its employees have been excellent advocates in helping our students succeed."
