JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Or in this case -- it’s getting to go on a shopping spree with the Jaguars.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell said. “The Lord has blessed me to be able to give back and serve the people I love and the community I’m in, so what better way to help put some joy in these kids hearts.”
“It’s absolutely amazing what the Jaguars do and then the players are so generous,” MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation executive director Terri Florio said. “It’s just so exciting to see the kids. Their faces light up and we’ve had most of them buying at least one gift for somebody else besides themselves, which is really nice that they’re giving it forward as well.”
A total of 325 kids received $150 gift cards to shop at either Academy Sports + Outdoors or at Walmart.
“Some of the kids have probably never been to a store like this before,” Florio said. “They certainly have never gotten $150 to shop for anything they want, any place. It’s really been an eye-opening experience for them. It’s been a little bit of a financial literacy exercise for them learning how to budget, but they’ve had a great time tonight.”
Fifty kids from local nonprofits, Sponsored by Grace and the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation dashed around the store picking out Christmas gifts with Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker and cornerback Campbell.
“Stanley cups are a big hit right now,” Campbell said. “Shoes and then clothes and the basketball and the football. Those types of things.”
“I have bought that Stanley, two boxes of shoes that I like, and then I have a pair of clothes and then I have a kit kat,” Samiyah said.
Kids filled their shopping carts with Christmas gifts that will bring joy to themselves and their families.
“My dad’s always wanted a grill and on the fourth of July we never got the grill outside on our patio and we just got a new house and he said he would really like a grill so I decided to make his Christmas wish come true,” Kaydence said.
“That was the first shopper that I helped out throughout the whole day so for me that really set the momentum to the day,” Walker said. “Just seeing the excitement on her face for her to get her dad that grill.”
It’s an experience these kids will cherish forever. And if you’re curious what Walker and Campbell want from Santa -- “I’m asking for breath in my lungs,” Walker said. “That’s it. As long as I get another opportunity on this earth that’s all I need.”
Added Campbell: “Just health and blessings. I don’t need nothing.”
There were 225 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida who shopped at Walmart with linebacker Foye Oluokun, defensive lineman DaVon Hamilton, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo and wide receiver Parker Washington. Quarterback Mac Jones and linebacker Devin Lloyd also contributed. Every player paid for the gift cards out of their own pockets.