CHARLOTTE – Santa Cam's Surprise Sleigh delivered bicycles to children at Shamrock Gardens Elementary School to kick off the Cam Newton Foundation's annual holiday giveaway.
The 180 bikes and helmets, provided by Academy Sports + Outdoors, were a part of more than $100,000 worth of gift giving throughout the city Tuesday. After Newton surprised first- and second-graders with new wheels and thrilled the entire school at an assembly, Newton made four more stops.
-At Second Harvest Food Bank, Newton surprised 125 fourth- and fifth-graders from Greeleyville (S.C.) Elementary School near Myrtle Beach with backpacks and hats as a part of a fun-filled afternoon. The food bank received a $10,000 Conn's Home Plus gift card for new equipment to better serve its agencies.
-At the Urban Ministry Center, Newton presented a $15,000 cash donation and a $5,000 Conn's gift card to be used in the fight to end homelessness. Newton was introduced to the ministry's Room In the Inn program and handed out socks, ponchos and hand warmers to those at the center.
-Newton next visited Bethlehem Center, an afterschool program for about 45 children now housed at the Southview Recreation Center. The program received a $15,000 cash donation and a $5,000 Conn's gift card to help open a computer center for the children, who were also treated to pizza and snacks.
-Newton's last stop was the Camino Community Center, a rapidly growing center serving the Latino/Hispanic community that also received a $15,000 cash donation and a $5,000 Conn's gift card.
