When Joey met Andre in 2017, Andre wasn’t doing so well in school.
So they spent time in the library, reading and working on comprehension, with Joey stressing the importance of homework. Steadily, Andre’s grades improved.
Since then, they’ve done many things together – hiking, kayaking, enjoying good food, and lately, touring college campuses.
One of Joey’s favorite memories with Andre is from 2017 – the Carolina Panthers vs. the Green Bay Packers football game. Randomly selected as the Panthers’ “Kickoff Kid,” Andre had the opportunity to retrieve the kicking tee from the field after the second half kickoff.
Seventy-five thousand fans cheered him on.
“It was a thrill for him,” Joey recalls.
Andre remembers that too.
“We’ve done a lot of things that I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to do otherwise,” he said – activities, experiences, new foods. “I’ve become a lot more open to trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone.”
Joey has enjoyed having a young person in his life. He appreciates Andre’s perspective on whatever is on his mind, whether it’s race relations, fairness, or people’s behavior. Andre has loved having someone who listens – and someone to look up to, he said.
“Joey has always been a great role model and has been there for me since I was really young,” he said. “He’s helped me grow and has always supported me along the way.”
When Andre was younger, he would often tell Joey what an awesome day they’d had together. Joey loved hearing that.
“I’d realize perhaps I am making a difference in this young life,” he said.
