ATL Standard

Atlanta Hawks players recently hosted a holiday party and distributed 1,500 gifts to local area children, according to a press release.

The Hawks partnered with volunteers from nonprofit organization Santa For A Day and Atlanta Housing (AH), the largest public housing authority in Georgia, to give presents to children living in underserved communities. The party also included seasonal activities, refreshments, games and crafts. The two organizations have collaborated in the past to provide children in local communities with opportunities to write letters to Santa and distribute presents. 

“We’re so grateful to the Atlanta Hawks for surprising, delighting and bringing smiles to all of these children, helping to make this a holiday they won’t forget,” Rich Gentile Santa For A Day's executive director said, according to the press release. “Our aim is to reach into as many of Atlanta’s most underserved areas and demonstrate, by example, the healing power of ‘goodness in the face of adversity.’”

Hawks players taking part in the festivities include Cam Reddish, Clint Capella, John Collins and DeLeon Wright.

“We are grateful to have an opportunity to bring some holiday cheer to this special group of children in the Atlanta community with both gifts and with surprise appearances from Cam, Clint, John and Delon,” Hawks Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter said on the team's website.

The event was a continuation of the team's "Season of Giving" campaign. Through a partnership from the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, the program has also provided vision screenings and new eyeglasses to more than 150 students in need.

“On behalf of the Atlanta Housing board and staff, I extend holiday greetings and a warm thank you to our partners Santa for a Day and the Atlanta Hawks for their generosity to our young residents and their families,” Atlanta Housing President and CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. said, according to the press release.