OKC Thunder Players Surprise Millwood Students With Shopping Spree

The Oklahoma City Thunder is always out and about in the community, and Thursday was the surprise of a lifetime for some students at Millwood High School. 

Millwood students went to school Thursday expecting to take a field trip for a community event. 

“My mom was nervous; she was like: ‘you don’t know where you’re going?’ And I was like ‘no’. Then you had better make sure you find out,” Millwood student Bronson Parks said. 

Eventually the students did figure it out and still couldn’t believe it 

“Whenever we were around the thing with the shopping carts and stuff, I kind of thought we were going to do some shopping like run around and try and get the most stuff or something like that,” Millwood student Ameria said.  

“The kids are getting $500 to shop and more importantly is this experience that they are able to have, having these conversations with the players, meeting them and getting to know them as they navigate the store,” Erin Oldfield, the director of community engagement for the Thunder, said. 

“We selected them based on their leadership abilities, somewhat of a need, but also just kids who were interested in helping others and giving back,” Millwood Superintendent Cecilia Robinson-Woods said. 

The players love taking a minute away from basketball for events like this. 

“This is a great event man, this is what it’s all about right here, especially during this time,” OKC Thunder player Kenrich Williams said. 

After the surprise $500 shopping spree, the Thunder representatives hinted that there may be more coming for the kids. 

“There might be a little extra special surprise when the kids leave. They're going to get a little additional money to come back and maybe do a little extra shopping,” Oldfield said.  

And Dr. Robinson-Woods believes these kids deserve it. 

“The greatest thing about this was, I gave them a questionnaire, and asked the kids how do we make the world a better place? all of the students that responded, we can help others, we can help the homeless,” Robinson-Woods said.