TAMPA, Fla. — Christmas is here a little early for some Tampa Bay area families.
- People saw kindness at the Joy of Giving event
- To find out how you can donate, go here
"Which one should I pick? Which one should I pick?" said 4-year-old Josiah as he searched for any toy he wanted.
"A motorcycle!" he yelled after choosing. "Cause I like motorcycles."
Smiles like his are what the Joy of Giving event is all about, according to WWE superstar Titus O'Neil, who helped spearhead the festivities through his family's charity, the Bullard Family Foundation.
The event has been happening for years, but this was the first year it is happening at Sligh Middle Magnet School because the school has a special place in Titus' heart.
"If you look at Tampa Heights and Seminole Heights over the last couple of years, those places have just flourished. I feel like, it's only a matter of time before this area of the community does the same. So I want to help support the families and the people that have been here for so long for that change so that they can stay and be a part of it," said O'Neil.
Focusing months of work at the school to help give students in need a chance to succeed.
And this time of year, also collaborating with Metropolitan Ministries to bring the celebration, complete with food and a parade, directly to them.
"A lot of these families can't get to our holiday tent on Rome Avenue or get to some of our partner sites, so it's great to bring the party and the love and the joy and the hope right to this community," said Tim Marks, president and CEO of Metropolitan Ministries.
Not only giving the kids something to smile about, but the parents too.
"Very grateful and appreciative for the gifts," said Laneshia Howard, Josiah's mom.
Even though this event is now complete, the Metropolitan Ministries is still collecting holiday items through Christmas Eve.
For more information, or if you are a family in need, visit Metromin.org.