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Westbrook Hands Off to Community

Although Brian Westbrook has moved to the Bay Area, he hasn’t forgotten about his hometown of Washington DC.

And last week, the 49ers new running back made sure that at least 150 kids from Washington DC area would have the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom.

Westbrook partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington DC to provide 150 underprivileged children with backpacks filled with school supplies. The gift was been made possible through Westbrook’s non-profit organization, Brian’s Blessings.

“In that area, there are a lot of young kids who can’t afford to be prepared for school,” Westbrook said. “If these kids aren’t prepared with the school supplies they need, then they have a much smaller chance at success in the classroom.

“It’s very humbling for me to participate in things like this. My hope is that this encourages the kids to learn and feel like they can be anything they want to be.”

Westbrook also gave a letter to the children encouraging them to work hard and believe in themselves.

For more than six years, Brian’s Blessings has helped underprivileged children foster a sense of high self worth by providing them with the tools they need to learn, play and achieve their dreams. Its goal is to raise awareness of the needs of the less fortunate and to address those needs. In addition to providing tangibles such as food, educational materials and toys at the holidays, Brian’s Blessings also strives to provide the empowerment and inspiration children need to become successful young people.

Although Westbrook was not in Washington DC to hand out the backpacks himself, his parents, Ron and Zelda Westbrook, were on hand to deliver the personal touch.

“My parents raised me the right way and they always taught me to give back to people who are less fortunate than me,” Westbrook said. “I want to make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed in life.”

Brian’s Blessings has primarily helped youth in the Washington DC area, but Westbrook said he plans on expanding its reach to the Bay Area.

Zelda Westbrook, Brian’s mother, handing out backpacks to the kids.

Here are some of the 150 children who benefitted from Westbrook’s gift.