MIAMI (WSVN) – South Florida sports organizations did their part to spread holiday cheer to kids across the region in preparation for the holidays.
The Miami Heat held several events to participate in the celebration.
To embrace the Christmas spirit, the Miami Heat held a toy giveaway at Caseya Center on Monday.
1,000 children participated in Heat Center Bam Adebayo’s annual toy drive.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Adebayo said. “Reaching out to the community, and we’re doing it in a bigger way. Thinking about a better way. Obviously, we’re getting to the point where we can fill arenas. It’s definitely a lifelong dream and , I’m glad we were able to do that.”
Adebayo’s goal was for all the children in attendance to leave with smiles on their faces.
“A lot of kids are smart,” Adebayo said. “Yeah, they have eight minutes to get what they want. A lot of them grab the bigger toys and pile on top of them. So it’s a little confusing, but at the end of the day, they… will have a wonderful Christmas.”
Additionally, the Heat partnered with Shear Families to hold their annual toy giveaway Monday at multiple South Florida schools.
“We’re so happy to have Heat here today,” said Riverside Elementary School Principal Veronica Recio. “And ShareFamily donates toys to students who participate in our after-school care program, HEAT Academy.”
Amy Shea Brennan and Marni Shea Bloomster are the daughters of Larry Shea, founder of HEAT Season Ticket Membership. They appeared alongside Barney, Hoop Troop, and DJ Mdot to provide and deliver toys and gifts to three HEAT Academy schools.
“For us, this day is like a fun day every year,” Marni Shea Bloomster said. “Because we get to see the happy faces of our kids and we get to give them toys that they might not have gotten otherwise. That’s why he decided to do this. When we started, and we loved watching him do it every year, and then when he passed away, my sister and I took over. We wanted to carry on his tradition. It was.”
Bernie will be delivering presents to Riverside Elementary School, Paul Lawrence Dunbar K-8 Center and Jesse J. McCrary Jr. Elementary School, where he will serve as Santa’s mascot.
His kind demeanor brought smiles to many children’s faces.
“It’s great to have another chance to get new toys,” said Janet Maldanado, a student at Riverside Elementary School. “Because some families can’t afford it.”
HEAT Academy is the Miami Heat’s flagship social responsibility initiative.
The Heat recognizes the importance of providing South Florida’s children with the opportunity to receive high-quality, academically focused after-school programs.
Not to be outdone, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead joined his teammates in supporting undeserving youth from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, Seek Foundation, and We Are the Veterans. To celebrate, we held a special holiday shopping event.
“This impacts the community,” Armstead said. “Just being able to do that means a lot to me personally. I feel like it’s my duty as a professional athlete. These people come to support us. The fans. uses their hard-earned money to support them. So this is just a small, really small way to give back to the community and spend time with the community.”
“It was fun,” said young shopper Amira Ross. “There were three baskets with a lot of stuff in them, like two stuffed animals, candy, clothes, slippers, and stuff like slime.”
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