'Philly Specials' and community partners deliver gifts to kids in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- "Operation Snowball" aims to give every student in the area a holiday gift this December.
And the musical members of the Philadelphia Eagles family are behind the effort.
This is all thanks to the proceeds from the "Philly Special Christmas" albums and several other community partners.
Action News was there as offensive tackle Jordan Mailata spread holiday cheer to students at Kirkbride Elementary School with his rousing rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Aiding Santa's sleigh aren't reindeer here in Philadelphia, but Eagles players.
"I had no idea that one guy could sing like that!," said 12-year-old Eli.
"That is crazy I'm in the presence of an absolute legend."
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The Philly Specials Christmas Team is using their talent for good. Eagles players turned song-birds Jordan Mialata , Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are using the proceeds from their Christmas albums to share the spirit of giving.
"We want to thank everyone who has bought an album and listened online, it's truly special. I hope people can spread a little more cheer, a little more love," says Jordan Mailata.
A long motorcade filled with toys, thanks to the team and partners like Amazon, made its way to schools in South Philly, Spring Garden and North Philadelphia.
"I'm gonna give this to my brother because, because for Christmas," said Gael, 9.
"If regifting isn't the spirit of Christmas, I don't know what is," quipped Jason Kelce.
Children from each Philadelphia school will get to choose a gift for themselves, a massive operation.
"Every single student. All 200,000. As someone who raises money for public education every single day I can tell you, this has never been done before," said Katherine Epps, President and CEO of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.
"It's very kind of them to give us gifts for Christmas," said 9-year-old Amy.
