Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin and ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt unveiling Terry’s Locker at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024, offering a fully stocked laundry room for student families (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Mount Vernon Community School assistant principal Ericea Davis-Buchanan welcomes Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin to the school on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin speaks at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin speaks at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin with students at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin with students at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin with students at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commander’s wide receiver Terry McLaurin talks to reporters at Mount Vernon Community School on Nov. 15, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin dedicated a fully-stocked laundry room at Mount Vernon Community School on Friday.
McLaurin launched the nonprofit “Terry’s Locker” earlier this year with the goal of helping kids not worry about wearing dirty clothes.
“I feel like you guys should be able to just focus on school,” McLaurin told kids in the school auditorium. “What you guys may not know is some of your classmates are possibly absent because they may not have clean clothing or the proper hygiene, and I don’t want that to be so you guys all deserve to be here, learning, having fun, getting to know each other and enjoy being a kid and enjoying school.”
The “locker” includes a brand new LG washer and dryer, with Tide soap and fabric softener — all donated by UnitedHealthcare.
“Thank you to Terry for being here,” Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said. “Thank you to United Healthcare for their very generous donation and really just caring about our students and our families in Alexandria City.”
School administrators will be reaching out to parents about a schedule to use the laundry room within a week, according to ACPS.
McLaurin said that he wants MVCS kids to chase their dreams honestly.
“One day, I know you guys will all do great things in this world, since you have confidence in yourselves,” He said. “Continue to be kind to one another and everybody around you and enjoy life.”
Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.
