The Buffalo Bills Toyota Rookie Club hosted 94 children from 11 local organizations at the winter-wonderland themed Van Miller Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium for the annual Buffalo Bills Holiday Party for Children.
Members of the Toyota Rookie Club including 13 Dez Lewis, 28 Ronald Darby, 29 Karlos Williams, 46 Bud Noel, 56 Cedric Reed, 59 AJ Tarpley, 84 Nick O'Learyand veterans 2 Dan Carpenter, 4 Jordan Gay, 5 Tyrod Taylor, 6 Colton Schmidt, 15 Chris Hogan, 36 Jonathan Meeks, 39 Mario Butler, 65 Garrison Sanborn, 70 Eric Wood and 79 Jordan Mills got the party started by introducing themselves and wishing everyone in attendance a happy holiday season. Santa Claus appeared in front of the party to hand out presents with Bills players and spread some holiday cheer.
"The Toyota Rookie Club Holiday Party for Children is one of our favorite events. The excitement our guests exhibit over the gifts they receive and the players they meet is something we look forward to every year," said Gretchen Geitter, Buffalo Bills Vice President of Community Relations. "We are happy to celebrate the holiday season with many of our local agencies and community partners who are doing wonderful things for the youth in Western New York."
The evening included guests from The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, Aspire, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Veterans One Stop Center, Buffalo Public School #84, WNY Heroes, PUNT Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo, Stone's Buddies, Northwest Buffalo Community CenterandSalvation Army.
"We are so grateful to the Buffalo Bills for providing a truly magical holiday experience for the kids in our program," said Thomas Guagliardo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County. "The players and staff really make the kids the stars of this event from the moment they arrive. To see the surprise and absolute joy on our kids' faces when they receive a gift from Santa that was on their wish list, is priceless."
94 children joined 17 Bills players to kick off the holiday season in the Toyota Van Miller Club. Guests received gifts from their lists from the players, met Santa and capped the night off with a dance party.