An unusually tall Santa Claus brought Christmas presents to about 500 students at Wesley Lakes Elementary School in McDonough, GA, outside Atlanta this week when NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal opened his Shaq-a-Clause charity for the 24th time.
While foregoing the traditional red beanie and coat, the 7-ft. 1 in. Philanthropist brought toys, clothing, groceries, bikes, gift cards, haircuts, and more to the kids during a holiday season marked by the coronavirus pandemic, inflation, and supply chain issues.
“Shaq-a-Clause is an event hosted by Dr. Lucille O’Neal who happens to be my mother,” said O’Neal in a video provided by TMX to Fox News. “It started in 1992 and we’ve been doing it ever since.” The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation website says the charity started in 1997.
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“Shaq-a-Clause is not just a giveaway,” said the former NBA star, referring to coaching opportunities from event sponsors.
MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 20: Shaq poses with kids in a Shaq-A-Claus and Pepsi Stronger Together surprise for an Atlanta school of toys and treats on December 20, 2021 in McDonough, Georgia.
(Derek White / Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)
“When I talk to the high schoolers, this is the time to get the news, but the elementary school” [kids] are little. So, it’s just play, play, play, over here. I know how school can be today … [is about] having a good time.”
“Uncle Shaq,” as some children call him at his events, said the annual charity started with a simple phone call from his mother. She was with hundreds of children who would otherwise not get new toys for Christmas, so she asked Shaq to help them with their situation.
MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 20: Shaq participates in a Shaq-A-Claus and Pepsi Stronger Together surprise for an Atlanta school with toys and goodies on December 20, 2021 in McDonough, Georgia.
(Derek White / Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)
“I told her I would handle this,” he said, explaining that he and his brother rented three moving trucks, visited a local toy store, and bought and supplied several toys for each child. “I could buy at least five toys for about 500 children each.”
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Not only did Shaq help start the tradition, but his mother has always been his inspiration for his philanthropy.
“I used to be a high-level criminal [and] It wasn’t just a smile in my house, “said O’Neal.” Once I started playing basketball, became more responsible, and learned to be a leader rather than a follower, I would see her smile more . And then it became my mission [to make her smile]. ”
MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 20: Shaq participates in a Shaq-A-Claus and Pepsi Stronger Together surprise for an Atlanta school with toys and goodies on December 20, 2021 in McDonough, Georgia.
(Derek White / Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)
The four-time NBA champion bought her a house and funded her education, and everyone, he explained, earned the coveted smile.
Shaq hosts events like the one in McDonough to help disadvantaged youth across the country, with similar events in California, Louisiana, and New Jersey. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation website says it also hosts events in Las Vegas and Boston.
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Shaq said he hopes his efforts will go well beyond Christmas and be life changing: “I strategically use messages that I know you will be listening to. I try to be the door for them to make their dreams come true. “
“Hopefully the world will be a better place and we can bring the police and the communities together. And I just want kids to be able to follow all of their dreams, ”he added.
