When they were growing up, Calais Campbell and his seven siblings learned the gift of generosity from their parents.
That's why the Arizona Cardinals' Pro Bowl defensive end makes time each year to pass along that generosity to Valley kids.
"My father was the one who really gave me the giving spirit, along with my mother. My parents did a great job of raising their eight kids. It's really cool to see these kids and change their lives," Campbell said Monday during his sixth annual Christmas with Calais event at Target in Tempe.
During the event, 60 kids from UMOM Day Center, South Point Elementary School and Telos Preparatory Academy were joined by Cardinals players for a $200 shopping spree.
"When you see the smile on their faces when they see something they really like ... I just remember being a kid and getting the same kind of excitement when people helped me out," Campbell said.
Along with Santa Claus himself, over a dozen Cardinals came out to help Campbell spread the joy, including quarterback Carson Palmer, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back David Johnson and defensive end Frostee Rucker.
"Oh man, my teammates are great people," Campbell said. "Guys like Frostee, Carson, Fitz -- there are so many guys who came in and dedicate their time to help these kids. It means so much to know you have the support of your teammates.
"They're my brothers. Everything I do these things, they're always there supporting me."
Campbell knows Christmas is more about giving than receiving, which is why he's glad he has the ability to brighten the lives of kids and demonstrate the same generous spirit he inherited from his parents.
"Christmas isn't about the gifts, though. I try to make sure every kid knows that. It's really about spending time with your loved ones and enjoying the time off with your family," he said. "But the cool thing when you're a kid is the gifts, so I'm glad I can add that part to their Christmases."
