SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Current Green Bay Packer tight end and former South Dakota State standout, Tucker Kraft, is using his platform to give back to his community. Thursday night, Kraft wore special Cheyenne River Youth Project cleats as part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project started from humble beginnings.
“Here we are, 35 years later, still working very hard to provide really healthy options for our young people,” Cheyenne River Youth Project CEO Julie Garreau said.
That work is now getting national attention thanks to former SDSU Jackrabbit Tucker Kraft, who wore custom designed Cheyenne River Youth Project cleats along with his Green Bay Packers uniform on Thanksgiving night.
“It’s just one of the greatest things that could have happened to the Cheyenne River Youth Project,” Garreau said.
Representatives even got to fly to Wisconsin to film a commercial that aired nationally over the weekend.
“You get an email, you wonder if it’s spam, and then, you get an email from the NFL saying, ‘We’d like to make this commercial with you.’ It’s a little bit where did this come from? It’s completely in left field,” Garreau said.
“It was also really good to see that our youth were remembered and to have somebody who is from their reservation on the big screen,” Cheyenne River Youth Project programs director Jerica Widow said.
Kraft’s support has also made him a role model for the Cheyenne River youth.
“It is pretty hard to do things ourselves, but at the same time, we do know what we want to do, and it is helpful for having someone to lead us on the way we need to go,” Cheyenne River Youth Project member Nation Cowins said.
And Kraft’s endorsement will have a lasting impact on the organization.
“It just made me feel so good that so many people are learning about our community, our organization, the good work that we do and the amazing kids that we work with,” Garreau said.
If you would like to learn how you can support the Cheyenne River Youth Project, click here.
