South Florida organizations are spreading the gift of giving this time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police departments, fire stations and professional sports teams all got into the spirit of the season, Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Miami Heat organization held a toy giveaway and pizza party for students at Riverside Elementary School. The event included an appearance from team mascot Burnie to bring some early Christmas cheer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I got a makeup pallet so I could do makeup a little bit,” said Barbara, a student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lively event featured a party with pizza for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I feel like it’s a great experience for everyone here and for kids that just don’t celebrate Christmas. They get to know what it feels like to be a part of this,” said Barbara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meantime, Heat legend and hall of famer Alonzo Mourning greeted students at Paul Laurence Dunbar K-8 Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“These kids, you know, come from impoverished environments so having a day like this, a very rewarding day for them,” said Mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mourning was joined by Burnie to help deliver unforgettable holiday memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The giveaway was started by the late Larry Share, a founding Heat season ticket holder who passed away in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organization and Share’s daughters, Amy Share Brennan and Marni Share Bloomster, have continued his annual tradition for the 18th year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Part of this tradition with buying toys for kids and he’s partnered up with the Miami Heat, so God rest his soul,” said Mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Father wanted to be sure that everybody could celebrate and to bring some cheer to everybody and their families,” said Share Brennan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And it means so much to come here, see the joy on the kids’ faces,” said Share Bloomster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Across South Florida, many other local organizations held multiple events of their own to spread holiday cheer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firefighters for the City of Miami helped Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive at Watch Me Grow Learning Center in style to deliver presents to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’ve been blessed with a wonderful visit from Santa and his wife. The kids are super excited,” said Kari Valdez<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a Target in Midtown, the Miami Police Department teamed up with the Miami Police Athletic League to host their annual “Shop with a Cop” event. Students who were selected got to pick out their favorite gifts with a cop by their side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The greatest events we do all year, ‘Shop with a Cop,’ these are kids from all over the City of Miami, where our officers are able to spend some time with them and have them be in charge and have a great holiday season,” said Miami Police Assistant Chief Richard Perez. “Great opportunity for our officers to give back and spend some good quality time with our most important kids in Miami.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firefighters with Miami Fire Rescue went along with Santa and his helpers on Wednesday morning to deliver toys to schools across the Magic City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Broward County, deputies with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office took students on a shopping spree at Walmart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The young participants were each given a $200 gift card and filled up carts with their favorite gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When I grow up, I either wanna be an entrepreneur or I wanna be a police officer,” one student said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“She’s completely in the spirit of Christmas and she’s just made my day,” the officer accompanying her said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"