Annual Event Presented by Where There’s A Will There’s A Way Foundation
December 20, 2012—New Orleans, LA—New Orleans Saints star Will Smith and his wife, Racquel, held their annual holiday event Tuesday, December 18 as part of the Where There’s A Will There’s A Way Foundation’s efforts in partnership with Kingsley House. Twenty families pre-selected from the Kingsley House program attended the evening’s festivities, which included a catered dinner, a tour of the Saints facility, gifts selected personally by Will and Racquel, and a visit from Santa.
Each family submitted a wish list of presents to Will and Racquel prior to the evening’s event, and the couple then spent the day before personally selecting and wrapping all of the toys and clothes for the families from the Kingsley House. “It was important to us that all of the families felt special tonight and so my wife and I took the time to make sure each person that attended were treated like part of our family,” said Will. “By the end of the night, I felt like I got to know everyone and was able to share in the joy as they unwrapped their X-Boxes or took their new bikes for a quick spin around the Saints cafeteria.”
This was the sixth year of the annual Christmas event, which has grown in size each year. The Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way” Foundation was supported by local and national sponsors including the New Orleans Saints, Microsoft, Fore! Kids Foundation, Acme Oyster House, Cold Stone Creameries, Dana Chanel Salon, author and celebrity chef Pam Lyles, All State Sugar Bowl, Second Harvest, NFL Players Association and Mike McKenzie’s 34 Ways Foundation.
About Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way Foundation:
Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way is a not-for-profit organization founded by National Football League player Will Smith. Focused on leading youth to achieving greatness, Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way aims to motivate, educated and provide opportunities for women and children. For more information click here.
About the Kingsley House:
Kingsley House is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Southeast Louisiana by collaboratively working with others to build a comprehensive system of services and resources that meet the needs of our recovering community. Founded in 1896, Kingsley House, a United Way community impact partner, has served the children and families of New Orleans through times of dramatic change for 113 years. Kingsley House remains a safe haven to countless children and families and a beacon of hope for our community’s future. For more information click here.
All photos by Charles Illanne, Flambeaux Media and special thanks to Lauren Renschler of Centurion Strategies
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