Eagles' Rodney McLeod Joins Campaign Offering Free Health Services To Children In Camden
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CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- A member of the Philadelphia Eagles is joining the campaign to help underserved young people in Camden.
Eagles safety Rodney McLeod is not only talking with Camden kids about having healthy attitudes, but is also offering them free health services at a mobile clinic parked out front of the Ocatvius V. Catto Community School.
With Power 99 providing the music, kids were dancing in their seats as they waited for McLeod to speak in the auditorium.
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McLeod had surgery to repair a torn MCL on Thursday, so he sat and answered questions about how he keeps himself healthy.
After the Monday assembly, the kids got their teeth and eyes examined. They can get cavities filled on the spot thanks to the Oral Health Impact Project and they can get free eye glasses.
"So Imagine trying to go to school and having a toothache," said Dr. Larry Caplin of the Oral Health Impact Project.
McLeod knows the kids love the Eagles, so if showing up gives them a positive role model, he says nothing could sideline him.
"When a child sees us, whether 5 minutes or 30 seconds, the impact that it can have can be life changing," said McLeod.
The dental clinic will be in front of the Catto School for the rest of the week and Camden officials are hoping that more parents will sign permission slips so more dental exams can happen.
McLeod talked about why he kept and didn't reschedule his commitment to speak at the school right after his surgery.
"It's important because the kids need to see my face. I think me being out here will give them a lot of encouragement. Me being in this situation I'm in, unfortunately, not able to make plays out on that field, but my goal now is to make plays within the community," said McLeod.
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This isn't the only time Rodney is in Camden.
He is scheduled to be here seven more times through the end of the Eagles' season.
