Three Philadelphia Eagles are continuing to fill the holiday season with joy by providing toys to students in the School District of Philadelphia.
Offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata and recently retired center Jason Kelce recently announced that 200,000 age-appropriate toys, apparel, cosmetics and other gifts have been donated by global partners to assist “Operation Snowball,” which aims to deliver a gift to every student in city schools through The Fund of the School District.
Following the recent success of Operation Snowball’s third and final holiday album “A Philly Special Christmas Party,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Holiday Charts, the local athletes decided to make a push to deliver toys to the good girls and boys this holiday season.
“When I first came to Philadelphia, it was apparent how much pride and joy, the sense of community and family that this city exudes,” Kelce said. “It’s the City of Brotherly Love, and this city has supported this initiative over the past two years. We’ve done two Christmas albums and because of your support, we’ve raised over $4 million and given to over 50 charitable organizations. And this year we are trying to go even bigger, we’re trying to give a gift to every kid in the Philly public schools this holiday season. If that’s not the holiday spirit, I don’t know what is. That’s the Philadelphia spirit that I’ve come to know, love and appreciate.”
The original push came from children’s entertainment company Spin Master, which donated close to $1 million worth of toys. It spawned an effort that was joined by Just Play, Fanatics, Jazwares, QVC, Tarte Cosmetics, Toy Foundation, Amazon Wondery/Amazon Local Goods, WildBrain, Five Below and Wawa. In addition, Shipmates and Zippy Shell are offering delivery, shipping and logistics to help execute Operation Snowball.
“Operation Snowball is an incredible undertaking that reminds us all who matters most in our fight for, and investments in, public education: our children,” said Kathryn Epps, president and CEO of The Fund of the School District. “As the only nonprofit organization charged with aligning philanthropic dollars with district priorities that help spur student achievement, The Fund is proud to partner on this opportunity to celebrate our children and reward them for their hard work and dedication this school year. We thank The Philly Specials and former Eagle and album executive producer Connor Barwin for their generous support of our students.”
Operation Snowball’s “Santa Drives An Astrovan” reached No. 1 on the iTunes Holiday Charts and is accompanied by a music video shot before a live audience at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. The smash hit follows two singles that include the iTunes No. 1 holiday chart topping Kelce and Stevie Nicks duet, “Maybe This Christmas,” and the Boyz II Men collaboration, “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights).” A music video for “Loud Little Town,” featuring Jason and Kylie Kelce, was released via YouTube in November.
A Philly Special Christmas donated over $1 million to local charities including Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and fulfilled the wish lists of Philadelphia school district teachers via Donors Choose. Now the School District of Philadelphia is sharing in the joy.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata in coordination with the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia for launching Operation Snowball,” said Tony B. Watlington Sr., Superintendent for the school district. “This ambitious effort will help bring joy, one of our core values in our five-year strategic plan Accelerate Philly, to students across Philadelphia this holiday season thanks to sales from the third holiday album, A Philly Special Christmas Party.”
