PHA, Sixers and Giant Team Up to Spread Holiday Spirit

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.