TYLER, Texas — Most people are familiar with Patrick Mahomes' work on the field. For those who don't know, the NFL MVP and Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback also started his own foundation, "15 and the Mahomies."
According to Executive Director Marques Fitch, the mission of the foundation is to help kids achieve their goals, no matter whether its on the field, in the classroom or in life.
"We focus on education, we focus on athletics," Fitch explained. "We focus on the arts...those unique experiences that a lot of children we're trying to serve would not have the opportunity to participate in."
It's also the primary goal for the foundation's "15 for 15" initiative.
"So, it's 15 different initiatives," Fitch said. "But, within each initiative, there's 15 individuals or 15 organizations that benefit from each one."
Each initiative and charitable partnership is carefully selected, no matter how big or small, to support kids' financial needs or to provide necessary resources.
East Texans experienced this, firsthand, last July. Mahomes' brother Jackson visited Whitehouse ISD on behalf of the foundation to donate shoes to students.
"Whitehouse will always have a special place in Patrick's heart, as well as the foundation just because of the roots there," Fitch said. "For us, we donate supplies like that one to pretty much empower individuals to be active. We never want there to be any excuse on why a kid can not participate in football, [or] basketball due to a lack of shoes or lack of equipment."
According to Fitch, the foundation regularly strives to emphasize the positive impact sports can have on a child's life.
"You just can't say enough about it," Fitch said. "It eliminates a lot of barriers, you know when you're in a huddle, you're all one team. When you have on the same uniform, you're all one team and we really will be promoting that moving forward."
To learn more about the 15 and the Mahomies foundation or to make a donation, visit their website.