University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Football Shares Christmas
December 20, 2010 | Football
Dec. 20, 2010
Tar Heel Santa came a little early this year. Last week, members of the Tar Heel football team piled into a pair of 15-passenger vans stuffed with gifts for a pair of Durham families. Just packing the gifts took about a half-hour - the team raised $3,000 to spread holiday cheer.
In cooperation with the Durham County Department of Social Services, Carolina football again participated in the Share Your Christmas program, something they've done since 2000. Over the course of the season, players donated their extra meal money toward the cause. The coaching staff then matched player donations for the $3,000 total. A few weeks ago, players and the coaches' wives made a trip to Wal-Mart to help fill the sleighs and stockings.
Last Tuesday, defensive tackle Tydreke Powell donned a Santa hat, and he and several of his teammates loaded up the vans before leaving Kenan Football Center. With Andre' Williams driving the lead van and Darius Lipford navigating, the entourage nearly made it to Falls Lake before realizing they'd missed a street sign.
Nevertheless, the presents were delivered - not just toys, but also essentials like baby wipes and diapers - and two families will have a merry Christmas thanks to the Tar Heel football family.
"It meant a lot to me, to go in and see the kids looking happy," Lipford said. "That's what it's all about. Parents don't really care what they get around Christmas time, it's all about how their children feel, and for us to be able to help out the parents with getting gifts for their kids, it meant a lot."
After the presents were safely under the respective trees, the players had a celebratory meal at CiCi's Pizza.
