BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Ten Buffalo high school graduates received a surprise visit from the Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins, who gifted each incoming college freshman with a $1,000 scholarship.
Those ten students received a $1,000 scholarship from Black Achievers, but when Dawkins found out, he decided to double the reward.
"I didn't know what that number was; I just said I'll match it. I matched whatever it is, so you guys can have a little bit more and make y’all smile. You can do whatever you want with it. You can have fun with it,” Dawkins said.
WATCH: 'I'll match it': Buffalo Bills' Dion Dawkins gifts $10k in college scholarships
After Dion, another donor surprised the students with an additional donation, bringing the total up to $2,500.
"Just looking at their faces, priceless," President/CEO of Black Achievers Inc. Herbert Bellamy Jr. said. "When we can get a positive person, a positive role model, who is inspiring people to keep moving and keep dreaming, It's just incredible."
"Football is just a small part of life, and these kids are everything," Dawkins said. "They've got parents, people that are going to depend on them. When it comes to the inner city, getting into the city that we actually live in, that's what means something. I choose to do so, and I will continue."
Makayla Mathews plans on putting her scholarship toward a speech therapy degree from the University at Buffalo. Her twin sister Iyanna is heading to the University at Albany to use her scholarship to study public health and biology.
"It's very nice for Black kids that look like me to receive these opportunities," Makayla said.
"It helps with the financial burden; my parents have three kids in college," Iyanna said.
