Extra Special People Get VIP Treatment at UGA Football Practice

By Ally Geronimo

Most weekday afternoons you can find the Georgia Bulldog football team practicing for hours in preparation for Saturday’s big game, but for a few hours on Tuesday, North Texas wasn’t first and foremost on their minds because ESP took the field!

On September 10, 2013, Extra Special People, Inc. (ESP) and the Georgia Bulldogs hosted the ‘Bulldawgs & Buddies’ event at UGA’s practice fields. ESP’s children and young adults got an exclusive opportunity to watch the team practice from the sidelines and afterwards, a chance to meet the players and coaches!

For many children that go to Extra Special People, attending football games is a challenge - transportation, loud environments, and inaccessibility. Tuesday, coaches and players gave a gift of the “Saturday in Athens” excitement to their truest fans.

"It’s a measure of true southern hospitality and ESP is extremely grateful for their support and time,” says Eli, Assistant Director.

Executive Director Laura Whitaker is thankful for ESP’s continued involvement with the football team and the impact the players have on the ESP’s children, but believes the relationship is a give and take.

“While our participants will marvel at getting to shake the players’ hands and watch them practice, I believe that the players will leave our kids with a little extra perspective and hopefully a little more pep in their plays,” says Laura.

Aaron Murray affirmed the give and take relationship after the event by saying, “It’s really awesome that we get to work with these wonderful kids a few times a year; it’s such a blessing. They’re my favorite kids!”

The Bulldawgs & Buddies event conveyed a message - you are important - a message we at ESP work to embed into our participants on a daily basis.

To learn more about Extra Special People, Inc. visit www.extraspecialpeople.com.