MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - The Fins and Heat aren’t just focused on football and basketball season. Both teams are also making the holiday season brighter for some children.
It was a Christmas wish come true that made dozens of wishes come true.
Whether it was for a bike, dolls or even snow in South Florida.
“It’s amazing,” said Christine Mathurin.
It’s all courtesy of the big man himself with some help from his not so little helpers.
“Christmas is the season of giving, and with the platform we have, it’s only right we give back to this community,” said Jaelan Phillips, a Miami Dolphins linebacker.
The annual event was made possible with the help of Morgan Law Group by giving the kids much more than just presents.
They were able to grant the experience of transporting them to the North Pole.
“It’s so fun. You can go fill your stocking and eat delicious cookies and decorate them,” said Mathurin.
This was just one of many holiday events the Dolphins were part of Tuesday.
Linebackers Andrew van Ginkel and Bradley Chubb visited with patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.
“Just seeing them in the hospital, it’s a difficult situation, so anyway you can help bring a smile to their face means a lot to me,” said Ginkel.
“We’re blessed to be in the position we’re in, so we got to pass on that blessing to somebody else,” said Chubb.
Over in Northwest Miami-Dade, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah also hostied a holiday gifting event at the Boys and Girls Club.
“I always strive on giving back,” said Ogbah. “That’s one of my passions, and I love giving back. I am blessed to be in a position to give back.”
The Miami Heat also spread some holiday cheer.
For the 15th year, the Miami Heat is teaming up with the Share Family for a toy giveaway.
It began with a stop at Jesse J. McCray Jr. Elementary School on Tuesday.
“We wanted to share the holidays and make sure every child has a present for the holidays,” said Amy Share Brennan, one of the organizers.
“It feels good because I know a lot people, they struggle to get gifts for Christmas, so I’m actually kind of grateful for this,” said Nadasia Crockett, student.
The next stop for Santa’s helpers was Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center.
“One of my students was crying. I went to see him, and he was crying of happiness,” said Maria De Armas, Principal of Dunbar K-8 Center.
Heat legend Alonso Mourning was there helping spread some Christmas cheer.
“We, the Miami Heat, have made a concerted effort to try to identify parts of the community where we give back,” said Mourning.
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