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The single mother of Jaguars WR Allen Hurns is paying it forward
- Updated: May 6, 2016
1:19 PM ET
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Erica Wilson was sleeping peacefully one night two months ago when the idea jarred her awake.
She should organize a big night for single mothers. Get dressed up, get together, and get praised. More importantly, though, get encouragement and support.
The mother of Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns had a tough time raising two children by herself in Miami and wanted to find a way to help others in the same situation. That became, beginning with that night two months ago, Stepping into 88 Blessings, which will be held June 4 at the Salem Centre in Jacksonville.
It’s a black-tie event open to the public that will feature former and current Jaguars players (including Hurns, who wears No. 88), a red-carpet arrival, a motivational speaker, gifts, and 88 single moms.
“We just want to really honor these ladies, make them feel like it’s their night,” Wilson said. “It’s all about them. As single parents we don’t get that. We don’t get the chance to go out and let our hair down and just have a good time.
“It’s all about pampering the ladies.”
Wilson didn’t get that luxury while raising her two sons. She had Daryl Wilson during her senior year of high school — she didn’t know she was pregnant until the fifth month and Daryl was born a month later at home on Christmas Day, weighing just 1 pound, 12 ounces — and had Hurns when she was 19.
“I basically just built my life around my kids. I was sheltered. I didn’t do anything. So this event, something like this could have helped me to know that, OK, your story is nothing compared to other stories.”
Erica Wilson
She had quit high school after giving birth to Daryl and had to work low-paying jobs. The money often wasn’t enough. Sometimes there wasn’t enough food for three, so she went hungry so her sons could eat. They bounced from apartment to apartment. At least one time they were evicted because she couldn’t pay the rent.
Wilson tried …
continue reading in source espn.go.com
