Andre Johnson spends over $17K on holiday shopping spree for at-risk children

Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson has a holiday tradition that beats going in debt, purchasing items for people who do not appreciate the gesture, or feeling guilty because you do not have enough money to purchase elaborate gifts.

For the seventh consecutive year, Johnson held his annual Toys “R” Us shopping spree for 12 at-risk children in Houston. They were given 80 seconds (Johnson wears No.80) to grab as many toys as possible.

Oh, but Johnson did not make the kids wait for a clerk to unlock that glass retail display case with those expensive gaming systems.
Instead, Johnson gave each child an Xbox 360 with two games.

What was the grand total for Johnson’s shopping spree?

Only $17,352.

“It just gives them a chance to go through the store and get whatever they want,” Johnson told reporters at the event. “They don’t have to ask nobody for it. Whatever they have on their Christmas list, they can pick-up, so that’s the reason why I do it.”

“It’s fun. It’s fun for the kids. It’s fun for me. It’s something I enjoy seeing every year. I just figure why not keep doing it.”

Each child chosen for the event has suffered through some sort of parental abuse and is now living with an extended family member. The shopping spree gives them a chance to get away from that reality and live the dream of every child - running through a toy store and grabbing whatever they want.

“It’s the holiday season,” Johnson said. “It’s a time for giving. People that know me know I have a big heart. I just like to give back and help people out.”

Johnson also reminds us what the holidays should be about for everyone.


(sports.yahoo.com)