We Day celebration recognizes thousands of students for their community service

SEATTLE — Thousands of Washington students participated in a massive movement Wednesday to inspire each other to make a difference in their communities.

The Key Arena was packed with 15,000 students for We Day, which featured motivational speakers such as NBA legend Magic Johnson and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

We Day started in Canada five years ago and has inspired young people to raise $26 million for more than 900 charities around the world.

“You young people can change the world,” said Johnson at the celebration.

“Just like a football team, we have to come together to do something great. And today, we are together,” Carroll said.

To attend We Day, students couldn’t buy tickets, but had to earn them. They earned them by volunteering for at least one local or one global charity this year.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Jeff Dubois spoke Lakewood High School students about We Day.

“If we all concentrate our thoughts and bring them together, we can do great things,” Deven Jackson said.

“If we put time and effort into changing our community and changing people’s lives, it’s definitely going to help,” said Taylor Studzinski.

Organizers said with help from celebrities, they’re empowering young people to make the world a better place.

Carroll helped bring We Day to Seattle, and hopes to get other NFL cities to promote We Day events.

KIRO