Here Comes Shaq-a-Claus

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal teaming up with top-tier sponsors to give youth a merry and bright holiday

ATLANTA, Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wesley Lakes Elementary School will turn into a winter wonderland with gifts, clothes, haircuts, pizza and festive surprises for more than 750 schoolchildren during the annual Shaq-A-Claus event on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Through his Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, the 7-foot, 1-inch basketball legend continues his 22-year tradition of brightening the holidays by providing thousands of toys, clothing, meals, and more to kids across the country. This December, Shaq-a-Claus will spread cheer throughout Atlanta, Las Vegas, New Jersey and Orlando with the help of premium sponsors. 

"This season can make some kids feel left out or different from their peers," said Mr. O'Neal. "Every child deserves to experience the holiday magic and hosting these events keeps that joy alive. Thanks to the generosity of my sponsors, we can celebrate together, have great fun, make memories and the kids go home feeling good."

Shaq-A-Claus will check the following items off wish lists, courtesy of partners:

• Fresh haircuts by Great Clips
• Plush dolls, games, play sets and toy trucks from JAKKS
• Eddie Bauer jackets and pajamas
• Hobbytron gifts by World Tech Toys
• Lucky Brand gear
• Tonka Toys and Trucks
• Nautica socks
• Authentic Brands merch

The festivities will also include carnival games, a live DJ and hot pizzas served by Papa John's.

Shaq–A–Claus will appear at 11 a.m. at Wesley Lakes Elementary School, 685 McDonough Parkway, McDonough, Georgia 30253.

About The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation
The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential. Established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, the Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children. While primarily partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools, the Foundation simultaneously supports Shaquille's other charitable endeavors, such as his annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and initiatives alongside his corporate partners. For more information, visit shaqfoundation.org. 

About Authentic Brands Group and Nautica

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform, which owns a portfolio of more than 50 iconic and world-renowned Lifestyle, Entertainment and Media brands. Headquartered in New York City, with offices around the world, Authentic connects strong brands with best-in-class partners and a global network of operators, distributors and retailers to build long-term value in the marketplace. Its brands generate more than $29 billion in global annual retail sales and have an expansive retail footprint in 150 countries, including 13,100-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops and 370,000 points of sale.

Authentic is committed to transforming brands by delivering powerful storytelling, compelling content, innovative business models and immersive experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms and emerging media. Authentic's brand portfolio includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, David Beckham®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Sports Illustrated®, Reebok®, Brooks Brothers®, Barneys New York®, Judith Leiber®, Ted Baker®, Hunter®, Vince®, Hervé Léger®, Hickey Freeman®, Frye®, Nautica®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Lucky Brand®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Nine West®, Rockport®, Eddie Bauer®, Boardriders®, Quiksilver®, Billabong®, Roxy®, DC Shoes®, RVCA®, Element®, VonZipper®, Honolua®, Spyder®, Volcom®, Shark®, Tretorn®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Izod®, Jones New York®, Van Heusen®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Arrow® and Thomasville®.

For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com.

About Eddie Bauer
For more than 100 years, outdoor brand Eddie Bauer has been inspiring, enabling, and empowering people to live their adventure with products that are built to last. Their performance outerwear, apparel, footwear, accessories, and gear are available at eddiebauer.com and more than 200 stores in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Japan, and other international markets.

About Great Clips, Inc.
Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis. Today, Great Clips has over 4,400 salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world's largest salon brand. Great Clips is 100 percent franchised, and salons are owned locally by more than 700 franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Great Clips franchisees employ more than 28,000 stylists. Great Clips® franchised salons provide value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. Getting a great haircut at a Great Clips® salon is more convenient than ever with Online Check-In, ReadyNext® text alerts and Clip Notes®. To check in online, visit GreatClips.com or download the free app. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a location near you, visit GreatClips.com.

About JAKKS™ Cares
JAKKS™ Cares is the philanthropic division of leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Through JAKKS Cares initiatives, the Company utilizes the powerful resources and inspired employees of JAKKS™ to assist needy children, families and even pets around the world. We are strongly committed to being philanthropic and socially responsible corporate citizens and to creating changes that will improve the lives and well-being of children for generations to come. JAKKS Cares activities also implement ways to "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" to help preserve our planet. Since inception, JAKKS Cares has donated more that $20 million in toys, school supplies and monetary endowments to millions of underprivileged children around the world. In the end, the most important aspect of the JAKKS Cares program is to help children smile, play and succeed. For more information, please visit www.jakks.com/jakkscares.com.

About Lucky Brand
WEAR LUCKY. FEEL LUCKY. Lucky Brand was founded in 1990 with a spirit of reinvention. Rooted in premium denim, Americana and self-expression, our brand is for the free-thinkers and the optimists who don't take life too seriously. Our denim and lifestyle wares portray personality through perfectly imperfect, often American heritage inspired details that bring levity to any look, or situation. Wear Lucky and make good fortune. Feel lucky, and you'll find it. Shop Lucky Brand in freestanding store locations across North America, select department stores and on luckybrand.com.

About Nautica
Nautica is a leading global lifestyle brand for men, women and children, with categories in home bedding and accessories. Founded in 1983, it has become one of the most recognized classic American sportswear brands with locations in more than 65 countries. The brand draws from the essence of the water and the currents of the world through iconic yet modern and innovative styles.

About Papa Johns
Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa Johns believes that using high-quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa Johns tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.and Louisville, Ky. and is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 5,800 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit www.papajohns.com or download the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS or Android.

About Tonka and Basic Fun! Inc.
Basic Fun! is a dynamic global marketer of classic and innovative children's entertainment products for today's kids. The company plays in many core toy categories including classic heritage toys, novelty collectibles, building toys, youth electronics, plush, vehicles, dolls and activity/discovery. Basic Fun!'s key brands include: Care Bears, Cutetitos, Pound Puppies, Tonka, K'NEX, Lite-Brite, Fisher Price Classics, Mash'ems, Playhut, Arcade Classics and more! For more information, please visit www.BasicFun.com.

About World Tech Toys and Hobbytron
Incorporated in 2004, World Tech Toys came into the Radio Control market strong by offering a wide variety of hobby grade helicopters and vehicles at competitive pricing. As customers continue to request more creativity and durability in R/C Flight, World Tech Toys responds by working closely with their factory and seeking innovation in the category.

Hobbytron is among the best and biggest online kids toy stores in the United States. We offer a wide range of Marvel toys, Disney toys, Star Wars, Cars & truck and much more.

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SOURCE The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation