MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Elementary students in Raleigh got quite the surprise from Santa’s Helpers Friday morning.
Basketball players from White Station Middle School passed out brand new toys to kids at Scenic Hill Elementary.
You could feel the electric Christmas cheer in the air.
“We’re giving all the gifts to the children, making them happy. It makes me feel good,” said 13-year-old Jelani Willis.
Jelani and his teammates spent the last couple of weeks playing Secret Santa, rounding up gifts for kids they didn’t even know.
The basketball players said they wanted to donate to Scenic Hill students because some of them may not get anything on Christmas day.
“Every morning that I wake up on Christmas, I get something. I think it’s unfair they won’t get anything. So it’s important for me to give to them,” said 12-year-old Brandon Nash.
The moment was so special and magical that it moved the team’s coaches to tears.
Brandon said the coach is not really emotional, but “I think today this touched him because these kids are so excited,” he said.
Precious McClellan thought she and her classmates were attending a holiday assembly on the last day before break.
Little did she know, they would all get brand-new toys.
“People don’t get things every day. I’m so thankful because they really didn’t have to do this,” Precious said.
Precious said of all the things she gets for Christmas this year, her toy from the White Station students will be the most special.
Brandon said passing out the toys was a good gift for him.
“Christmas is about giving, not receiving,” he said.
This is the second year White Station basketball players have passed out gifts to other children.