Houston Texans’ Andre Johnson Spends $19K On Toys For At-Risk Children [Photo]
Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson made some kids very happy when he treated 12 at-risk children in Child Protective Services to a Toys ‘R Us shopping spree Tuesday afternoon.
The shopping spree was funded by the Andre Johnson Charitable Foundation, which he created during his 2003 rookie season. The kids had 80 seconds to fill their carts with as many toys as possible for themselves and their siblings. They were also each given a gaming system and two video games. The end tally? $19,521.
Johnson said about the spree, “You hear a minute and twenty seconds, and you don’t think that’s a long time, but you’d be surprised by what these kids can put into their buckets.”
Johnson also said, “Everyday when I wake up, I ask myself, ‘Who can I add value to today,’ because it’s not about me. It’s all about helping someone else. And at this time of the year, there are many opportunities to help less fortunate children have a great Christmas.”
After footing the bill for the children’s Christmas presents, Johnson joined the Houston Police Department for its “Blue Santa” program, which surprised 800 students at Bastian Elementary School with Christmas presents.
Johnson said:
“A lot of these kids get discouraged because of where they grew up and things like that. I grew up in a single-parent home and I was fortunate to achieve my goals. So, whatever goals you have, just keep them out in front of you, don’t let anybody distract you away from them, because there will be distractions that try to detour you away from your goals. That’s the biggest thing.”
