Seahawks spread a little 12th Man love at North Elementary

MOSES LAKE — Endeavor Middle School eighth-grader Annalisa Salgado raced across the playground with a smile that threatened to wrap around her head.

“He said yes,” she shouted for anybody within a three-block radius to hear, holding a tablet high into the air. “I asked him if I could take a picture with him and he said yes.”

Sure enough, there was a picture of this pint-sized kid standing next to a massive man expected to be protecting Russell Wilson’s backside this season.

The Seattle Seahawks brought in the first leg of the 12 Tour to North Elementary School on Friday and were met with voluminous reception from Moses Lake 12s in the making. The Seahawks did it right, bringing their No. 1 draft choice, rookie offensive lineman Germain Ifedi and the No. 3 pick Rees Odhiambo. The 12 Tour, which also made stops in Leavenworth,

Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Cheney and Ellensburg, also included members of the Sea Gals, the Blue Thunder drum group and Blitz the mascot.

DJ Supra Sam brought the jams and the pounding bass filled the air. It was one part dance party, one part education and all-in fun with a 12th Man sound level that would have rocked the fun meter at CenturyLink Field.

Salgado’s picture with Ifedi was destined to become her new Facebook profile picture, but one-by-one she picked ‘em all off with a shot of her with Odhiambo, then the Sea Gals and finally banging the drum with Blue Thunder.

Was it a good day? Ya think?

“It was amazing. I did not expect any of this when I came here,” she said. “This is unbelievable that they’d come here because we’re a small town and I wouldn’t expect that.”

The stop was a well-orchestrated, choreographed event. Blue Thunder pounded out the beat with happenin’ vibe that sent the energy level through the roof. The Sea Gals gave Moses Lake a look at their dance steps, but the main event was still the two rookie linemen looking to make their way into the Seattle starting lineup this fall.

“It means a great deal to the community and North Elementary because it gives kids a better perspective to what a role model is,” said Matt Fredley, who stood on the hill with his son Mo on his shoulders. “These guys are giving back to the community. There are people in a position to do good and they don’t because they’re blinded by fame or fortune or they’re just selfish and self-centered. But these guys are from the same world of sports and money taking time out of their lives to give something back and that’s a class act.”

The Seahawk organization didn’t just give something back with time out of its day. The NFL franchise gave something back from its bank account. They knew they wanted to make a stop in Moses Lake as part of the 12 Tour, but when Seahawks staff discovered Herald reporter Cheryl Schweizer’s story online outlining how three juveniles set fire to the school’s playground equipment, destroying partially insured property, they knew they had their cause.

“We got a call on May 23 from the Seahawks saying they’d read about the fire and wanted more information,” North principal Kelly Frederick said. “They said they wanted to help and considered North Elementary a stop on the 12 Tour. So the kids have known they were coming since before school let out, but we were asked not to announce it because they wanted to make it a stop for this community.”

It wasn’t just a stop, the Seahawks donated $20,000 to North Elementary School so they could replace the BigToy and the surrounding bark. Instead of just presenting a worthless big check showing self-importance, Odhiambo and Ifedi rolled out an autographed 12th Man flag, which will be on display at North Elementary for generations to come.

The Seahawks also made a surprise visit to the local Safeway store on Pioneer. Safeway has partnered with the organization and provided the 12 Tour with two $250 gift cards to make a difference in someone’s life.

Rather than decide on two recipients, Odhiambo and Ifedi opted to buy groceries for more than 15 local families. There’s giving back and there’s making a difference, and the Seattle Seahawks did both with their stop in Moses Lake as part of the 12 Tour.

“It just makes my heart proud for them to help replace our playground equipment,” said Teresa Williams, who brought her five grandchildren to the event. “I see them going to the bigger cities and I think, I’d be nice if they’d come here and share some of that 12th Man love. Now here they are. This is great for this community and our town.”