By: Essence Holman, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
CAMDEN, N.J. – Craig Walton, Jr., a Camden native and Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers cornerback (#37), returned to his hometown to give back in a powerful way.
As a former Camden High School athlete and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Walton is not only representing on the field, he’s showing up for his community off the field, too. A walk-on who earned his place at LSU, he understands the value of hard work, opportunity, and giving back.
With giving away 100 book bags filled with supplies such as pencils, notebooks, and more, Walton makes it known that your zip code doesn’t determine your destiny. Through this giveaway, he’s not just handing out school supplies, he’s planting seeds of hope and confidence in Camden’s youth.
“Growing up, you didn’t see many people doing bookbag drives before school,” Walton said. “So to be able to give kids school supplies before the year starts, and to help take some weight off their moms and parents—that means something. I just wanted to do something different”
Surrounded by family, friends, and local supporters at Camden’s Whitman Park, Walton’s presence served as a reminder that success includes lifting others as you rise. His commitment to service reflects both his roots and the values of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi: manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift.
Receiving their new backpacks was a moment of excitement for the children. For the parents, it was a sigh of relief. And for Camden, it was a proud reminder that its sons and daughters can rise, return, and make a difference.
Geanny Rodriguez, a resident of Camden and mother of two children who received bookbags, expressed her gratitude for the support.
“I cherish bookbag drives because it’s one less thing to worry about, and ,most importantly, it saves me money,” Rodriguez said. “By providing a bookbag and other back-to-school items, it’s like letting the youth know: you don’t have to worry about the basics, just focus on your studies.”
Walton’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the local non-profit organizations that stepped in to support his mission. One of the key sponsors was Enhance & Elevate, founded by Edison Jaquez, a certified life coach, counselor, motivational speaker, and mental health advocate with over a decade of experience. The organization provided the bookbags and clothing for attendees, demonstrating a powerful commitment to youth-focused initiatives.
“Craig’s heart for Camden is evident,” Jaquez said. “At Enhance & Elevate, we believe in pouring into the next generation, and Craig is doing just that, leading by example, staying rooted in his community, and showing our youth what’s possible.”
As Walton prepares for his next season with LSU, his impact in Camden continues to grow. What began as a simple bookbag giveaway became a powerful moment of unity, service, and inspiration, a reminder that success isn’t just about how far you go, but how many people you bring with you along the way.
“Always remain focused, always remain humble, and believe in yourself,” Walton said. “When you believe in yourself, you can do all things, there’s nothing you cannot do. When you believe in yourself, you can touch the sky. Always put yourself out there because if you don’t, no one else will. You gotta believe in yourself so others can believe in you. And that’s how I did it. But without God, it’s impossible.”
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