Sports
Cubs' Dexter Fowler Helps Pay Back-to-School Layaway Balances for 43 Families
The center fielder and nonprofit group Pay Away the Layaway surprised the Chicago families during an event Wednesday at Kmart.
CHICAGO — As the leadoff hitter for the Chicago Cubs, Dexter Fowler knows the importance of strong starts, and he helped provide that Wednesday for more than 40 Chicago families looking to hit the ground running as the new school year begins.
Fowler and his Fowler's Howlers organization partnered with the nonprofit group Pay Away the Layaway to surprise 43 families by paying off more than $5,000 in layaway balances for back-to-school supplies. Several families found out about the layaway liberation during a Wednesday afternoon event at a Kmart, 3443 W. Addison St., a little more than 3 miles from Fowler's "workplace" at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs center fielder attended the event with his wife, Darya Aliya, along with volunteers from Fowler's Howlers and Pay Away the Layaway. After introducing himself to those on hand, Fowler drew applause from the families gathered at the store when he told them he and his partners were covering the balance on the school supplies they had on layaway.
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"This is just a head start to get the kids excited about school," Fowler told the Tribune about his act of generosity.
Thank you @PayAwayLayaway for allowing us the opportunity to pay off 43 families outstanding layaway debts pic.twitter.com/5cREd0gvuO
— Darya Aliya Fowler (@DaryaAliya) August 31, 2016
Founded in 2011, Pay Away the Layaway raises money online to help families pay off kids' gifts, books, clothes and other items on layaway plans. The group then holds "surprise events" like Wednesday's appearance with Fowler across the country.
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People looking to donate to Pay Away the Layaway or find out more about the nonprofit organization can go to the group's website or its Facebook page.
PHOTO: Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler surprised 43 families Wednesday afternoon at Kmart by helping to pay off their store layaway balances for back-to-school supplies. From left: volunteer Craig Tobin; Darya Aliya Fowler, Dexter Fowler's wife; Naya, the Fowlers daughter; and volunteer Kevin Sharpe. (Image via Pay Away the Layaway)
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