Shaquille O’Neal held his yearly “Shaq-a-Clause” event in Henry County, Georgia, and made sure Wesley Lakes Elementary School one of his stops.
Shaq gave out brand new toys and high-fives to the children he has become so familiar with that they call him “Uncle Shaq” at the elementary school.
Shaq has been spreading the holiday cheer through his Shaq-a-Clause since 1997. During the event, he gives out toys, clothes, and school supplies to kids in need. This year, Shaq’s Christmas sleigh visited children across Los Angeles, New Jersey, Compton, and Orlando. He says that his mother is the one that inspired him to begin the tradition:
The great Dr. Lucille O’Neal, who happens to be my mother, always said if I can help those in need, do it… For me, it’s a better feeling having her smile. Better than any commercial I’ve done. Better than any deal that I’ve done.
It is reassuring to see celebrities like Shaq use Christmas as a time to spread joy to those in need. O’Neal told WSBTV that each Christmas, he tries to “mix it up” with different surprises for the students of Wesley Lakes Elementary. In this tweet, you can see Shaq pictured in Wesley Lakes Elementary School’s gymnasium, which he filled with racks of new bikes and toys for the over 500 students: