Shaq-A-Claus is Coming to Town

ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Christmas is coming early for nearly 800 elementary schoolchildren in the Atlanta area as Shaquille O'Neal – aka Shaq–A–Claus – visits McDonough Academy and Fairview Elementary School on Monday, December 11.

This marks the 15th year that Shaq–A–Claus has delivered holiday gifts and cheer to underprivileged children around the country. O'Neal's longtime girlfriend, lifestyle blogger and author Laticia Rolle, will play the role of Mrs. Claus.

"Nothing is more rewarding than making a child's Christmas a little brighter when their families may not have the means," said O'Neal. "And doing so in the community we call home is extra special. Thank you to my business partners for helping to make this happen."  

This year, Shaq-A-Claus will check the following items off of holiday wish lists of schoolchildren:

• Plush dolls, stuffed animals, games, play sets and toy trucks from JAKKS Cares;
• Flying figures and radio control cars from World Tech Toys;
• Sing-A-Ma-Lings from Funrise;
• Socks from Aéropostale;
• Non-perishable food items from Convoy of Hope;
• Coats from Clothes4Souls in partnership with Macy's.

Also planned is a holiday drive-by from the Krispy Kreme Cruiser, which will provide students a special first taste of Krispy Kreme's new seasonal take on its iconic Original Glazed® Doughnut: the Gingerbread Glazed Doughnut.

Festivities also will include face-painting, balloon animals and a live DJ. La Fete Weddings and Events is teaming up with event partners Chelsea Floral Designs and Crush Event Rentals to create a festive and memorable design.

Shaq–A–Claus will appear at 10 a.m. at Fairview Elementary School, located at 458 Fairview Road in Stockbridge. He will then sleigh ride through the night to McDonough Academy at 151 Macon Street in McDonough.

About Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation
Krispy Kreme is a global retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed doughnut. Founded in 1937, Krispy Kreme's doughnuts can be found in approximately 12,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the U.S. and more than 1,300 stores in 31 countries. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one of its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.

About JAKKS™ Cares
JAKKS™ Cares is the philanthropic division of leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. The company and its employees assist needy children, families and even pets around the world, having donated more that $20 million in toys, school supplies and endowments to millions of underprivileged children around the world. For more information, please visit http://jakks.com/our-commitment.html.

About World Tech Toys
World Tech is one of the leading manufacturers in the remote-control toy industry. Its licensed and patented products offer the latest in technology at affordable prices. Available at www.worldtechtoys.com/rc-trucks.

About Funrise
Founded in 1987, Funrise is an adventurous innovator and an industry leader in the manufacture and distribution of children's toys. Its brands include TONKA®, GAZILLION BUBBLES®, LUNA PETUNIA™, POSITIVELY PERFECT™, SPACE RACERS™ and Shelcore's line of pre-school toys. For more information, visit www.funrise.com.

About Aéropostale
Aéropostale is a specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, targeting 16- to 22-year-old young women and men, with 880 stores worldwide including 500 stores in the U.S. Aéropostale and its supporting brands can be found in shop in shops and freestanding locations around the world as well as www.Aeropostale.com.

About Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope, a faith based organization founded in 1994, has a driving passion to feed the world. In the last 20 years, Convoy of Hope has served more than 80 million people. For more information, visit convoyofhope.org.

About Clothes4Souls
Macy's, through its 2017 "Buy a Coat & We'll Donate One" campaign, donated 35,000 brand new coats nationwide to Clothes4Souls, a division of Soles4Souls, Inc. Soles4Souls is a not for profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. For more information, visit clothes4souls.org.

About Shaquille O'Neal
Besides Shaq-a-Claus, retired NBA player and philanthropist Shaquille O'Neal is involved in many charitable causes that provide young people with resources and opportunities. These include Toys for Tots, Boys & Girls Club of America and My Brother's Keeper.

SOURCE Shaquille O'Neal