Commmanders’ Star Unveils “Terry’s Locker” at Mount Vernon Community School

ALEXANDRIA, VA-Washington Commanders’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin said he is meticulous about his locker at the stadium: “My clothes are all on hangers, while there’s a suitcase that sits on the floor with my other clothes,” McLaurin said. “I also keep my shoes on the floor, on the left, and two pairs of cleats on the right. There’s also my helmet, Gatorade, headphones, and eye black that I apply before every game.”

It makes sense that the self-described “neat freak,” who credited his mother for teaching him how to do laundry, spent an hour on Friday afternoon at Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria, as his eponymous foundation and UnitedHealthcare unveiled the latest “Terry’s Locker” at the Commonwealth Avenue school. The room includes a brand-new washer and dryer, a fully-stocked shelf of laundry products, and a variety of hygiene products for students and their families – helping ensure every student has access to the basic necessities required for their health and well-being and that no student misses school because of a lack of clean clothes.

“It’s really cool to see how this initiative is growing so quickly and hearing the reception that I’m getting from everyone is really encouraging,” the fifth-year wideout said. “I set out to provide something that can be of service to the kids, their parents or guardians, and the school staff. The best part is getting to meet the kids and talk with them.”

Terry’s Locker contributes to students well-being in myriad ways, including positive self-image (wearing clean clothes contributes to a positive self-image, which is crucial for self-esteem and confidence); reduced anxiety (worrying about unwashed clothes can cause anxiety and distract students from their studies); social acceptance (feeling well-groomed can help students feel more accepted by their peers); and academic performance (research suggests a link between feeling confident in one’s attire and improved academic performance).

The Terry McLaurin Foundation seeks to help underserved children become the best version of themselves by providing them with the tools to succeed in the classroom and society. This includes educational and social support, health and wellness assistance, and mentorship. The Terry’s Locker unveiled on November 15 was the third Terry’s Locker to open in underserved schools across the Mid-Atlantic region, after McKinley Middle School (Washington, D.C.) and Maymont Preschool (Richmond, Virginia).

Marianne Randazzo, VP of UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic, said the partnership is consistent with the company’s broader mission. “We are, at our core, a health and well-being company and we want to contribute to the community in multiple ways, and this is one of them,” Randazzo said. “Working with Terry McLaurin and Terry’s Locker is a perfect way for us to support schools that do so much for the community and so much for students.”

One school administrator noted the laundry facilities might be made available to the broader neighborhood community, who might not otherwise have easy access to such resources.

“I’ve learned so much about the true necessities that people may need these days,” McLaurin said. “Some things that are essential sometimes fall through the cracks that people don’t even realize. So just being able to provide those essentials, especially for youth and their families, is something I’m extremely passionate about.”

“Every child deserves the necessities they need for their own health and well-being,” said Ericea Davis-Buchanan, Assistant Principal for Grades 3-5. “It provides confidence, allows them to be devoted to education, and enables them to realize their full capabilities.”

McLaurin cradled a batch of handwritten thank-you notes as he reflected on his own elementary school experience.

“It was your purest form of being a kid. I remember math, that I was very passionate about. Just meeting so many friends. I’m still very close friends with a lot of guys I met in fourth grade,” he said. “What you don’t realize when you’re this young is that a lot of the people you’re going to meet along the way may become lifelong friends, may have an impact on your life. And some of my favorite teachers came from elementary school, because it was the foundation of your learning process.”

McLaurin urged the excited elementary school students to “be kind” to each other: “They may not know what their peers are going through; they may be going through things on their own. Being kind goes a long way, and supporting one another definitely goes a long way. I’m very fortunate to be able to provide Terry’s Locker. But the biggest thing I want them to take away is to be able to chase their dreams and being kind to the people around them.”

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