The Philadelphia Housing Authority
(PHA) spread holiday cheer by teaming up with Santa for Day and the
Philadelphia 76ers for the annual "Holiday Hoopla" event, providing
gifts to 150 children at affordable housing developments throughout
the city.
Each of these children received three
gifts after writing a letter to Santa. Throughout the week,
PHA property managers simultaneously distributed toys to other
children so they might have reason to celebrate as well.
For 15 youth from Bartram Village
apartments, Dec. 22, 2020 was a day to remember. Each of them had
been selected in advance to sign a one-day contract with the 76ers.
They received, along with music and the signing hoopla, a
personalized 76ers jersey, draft-day signing hat, and
age-appropriate holiday toys.
As each signee entered the
balloon-filled room at Bartram Village Community Center, Franklin,
the 76ers mascot, greeted each individually amid the cheers of a
handful of socially distanced Sixer and PHA staff. Hoopla abided by
CDC guidelines, including those related to mask-wearing and social
distancing. The 76ers and The GIANT Company hosted the
event.