Helping Hands Worldwide

There is more to life than football, and for Jordan Ferguson, that is all too true. He doesn't want to waste what time he has left at Middle Tennessee just going to class and playing the sport he loves. Ultimately, he just wants to help people.

Ferguson dreamt up an idea to feed people in Atlanta. He wanted to help people because of his own experience growing up having kind humans provide for his family. On Christmas day in 2021, he did just that. With the help of his mom, brother, and cousins, he was able to pass out over 50 meals to homeless people in the city.

It is difficult to be able to fully provide for such a large community living on the streets, and it is easy to get discouraged if there isn't enough, but Ferguson said, “regardless of how much or how little we have to give, we are still helping people.”

The funding for this came out of Ferguson’s own pocket. He went to Sams and purchased utensils, water bottles, and the ingredients to make a hot meal. “I don't mind spending my money because at the end of the day it's for other people who don't have any. I’d give my last bit if I had to,” Ferguson said.

The goal was to start off small, but still dream big. This idea grew beyond Atlanta and followed Ferguson back to Murfreesboro. The MTSU football team's defense was able to gather over 50 blankets. On February 17th, Defensive End Richard Kinley and Ferguson led four other players in distributing the blankets to people sleeping on the streets both near MTSU and Downtown Nashville.

Ferguson wants to make these efforts more intentional by making it into an organization called “Helping Hands Worldwide.”

“Together, WE can provide relief to those in need of a helping hand. Let’s make an impact that lasts. Our mission is to lend a helping hand to those in need and give back to our communities. We are dedicated to changing lives & bettering communities.” Ferguson said when asked about the organization's mission statement.

As far as the future goes, Ferguson plans to work with fellow teammate, Running Back Brad Anderson, to collect shoes for underprivileged kids in Murfreesboro. They would call it “Cleats and Sneaks,” putting drop off boxes around town and getting the community involved. The two would then find after school programs and donate the cleats and sneakers. The goal is to have shoe sizes ranging from toddlers to teenagers.

Fergeson is also hoping to get the defense to come together again off the field to pick up trash around Murfreesboro, as a way to give back without spending any money.

His heart is shown through how he cares about his college town and those in his home city. Ferguson said, “God put me on this earth for a reason, and I think this is one of the callings he made me for. I'm not in it for me, I'm here for other people”