Kimberly Stroud, C.J. Stroud Foundation hold second annual Back to School event with Lily’s Toy Box: ‘You are seen’

HOUSTON – Kimblerly Stroud gathered her thoughts. It was an emotional share, composing herself as she delivered a strong message about the power of perseverance.

As she raised her family as a single mother under trying circumstances in California, she grappled with financial insecurity and, at times, doubt. Ultimately, she conquered those thoughts and hard times through faith and hope.

Now the president of the C.J. Stroud Foundation, the charitable organization of the Texans star quarterback devoted to helping single mothers and children with incarcerated parents and devoted toward criminal justice reform, Stroud told the children and families gathered Friday night at Lily’s Toy Box to keep pushing and striving.

“I had to look at myself in the mirror and figure out what I was gonna do and I never could see this side of life,” Stroud said. “But I do want to give you hope today and let you know to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Never give up. Everybody say never give up! And that’s what my son CJ Stroud did. He never gave up. He continued to strive every single day to be better than he was on yesterday. He’s my inspiration.

“All my children are truly, but C.J. got so much adversity. He was always looked down upon. He was always thought as less than the other athletes. He never had the high-priced coaches and all the things that the other children have. But you know what he did have? He had faith in the Lord and he had faith in himself. So no matter what you’re facing in your life, believe in yourself and you could do anything. And that’s what you see that No. 7 that runs out on that Texans field, he believes in himself and he believes in you.”

During this second annual Back to School event, children received toys, backpacks, shoes, essential supplies and Trill’s Burgers. It was a fun time for Stroud, who partnered with Lily DuBose, the inspiration for Lily’s Toy Box, an organization launched during Hurricane Harvey when the family began collecting toy donations to give to kids whose belongings were lost in the storm.

“What they do here is amazing,” Stroud told KPRC 2. “They give shopping experiences for children that may otherwise not have an opportunity to receive gifts. And we partner with them. We’re giving children backpacks, shoes, a few back- to-school items just to make their, you’re successful.

“We want them to know that they’re seen and that the C.J. Stroud Foundation supports them. We’ve partnered this year with the Mission of Yahwah, and also Raise Up Families, which are two powerful organizations that actually help families that are transitioning from really hard situations. So, we’re extremely honored to be here. The children are amazing, they’re happy, there’s such great energy here and we’re just excited to be a part of it.”

During her talk with the children and families, Stroud reinforced how her son is a prime example of what hope and a plan can accomplish. He’s a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, a former first-round draft pick and Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State and a Pro Bowl selection.

“It’s heartwarming to see mothers continue to have hope, you know, and for me, I remember being that mom who just felt so hopeless, felt that, you know, there was no kind of light at the end of the tunnel, but there always is,” Stroud said. “And so I believe that we all have to give back and we all have to share our experiences to encourage one another.

“C.J. has just been through so much adversity but he’s showed so much resilience and what he does every day expressing his faith and also going out and just being such an amazing person I always like to encourage and just let him know just please don’t give up every single day just put one foot in front of the other and brighter days are coming.“

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. And so today I pray that you’re blessed by what the CJ Stroud Foundation, the Lilly’s Toy House, has done today to bring smiles to all your faces. So, in saying that, we have an exciting packed evening for you all. We have gifts for you. We have some trivia with some memorabilia we’re going to give to you. We also have... Bags! [00:00:01][0.0]

Working with Lily’s Toy Box, a uniquely positive organization was a natural fit for the foundation.

“Absolutely, I really believe in their mission here and that’s just to bring smiles to children’s faces,” Stroud said. “Lily being a young lady herself, a teenager, she still is just full of so much joy. You can tell they really enjoy doing this. Her father spends endless hours here setting up the warehouse here and her mother as well and they make sure that they make an impact here in the city of Houston. So it’s been an honor working with them.”

The Texans open the preseason Saturday at noon against the Carolina Panthers. Their quarterback, Bryce Young, and his family are old friends of the Stroud family going back to their days in California.

“I’m so excited for the game,” Stroud said. “Each game, I’m excited. It’s such an honor to watch my son as well as support the Texans as whatever team we’re facing. So yeah, we’re all excited here. And him and Bryce, they go way back.”

“We love the Young family. They’re amazing people. Super, positive Christian people. Just really great, you know, family. So we’re super excited to have them here in the city of Houston.”

For DuBose, it’s a real calling to help others and to work with the Stroud foundation as partners.

“It is just so much fun to be able to give so many toys and little gift bags to these kids,” DuBose said. “It has just been such a fun event. It’s been awesome. They’re just so giving and I love the opportunity to be able to work with them.

“They’re are just so open to any idea that we have and they also give us so many ideas to have this wonderful event, to be be able work with these kids and they’re just fun to work with.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com