On Wednesday December 19th, allCanes hosted the 6th Annual Shopping Spree for Kids. For those unfamiliar with the event, we shut down the store one evening during the holidays and invite a few dozen at-risk Miami youngsters in store to shop amongst former players, coaches and other local personalities.
This year, allCanes teamed up with The Bryan Pata Foundation and in honor of the former Hurricanes, gave each child $95 to spend in store on merchandise and apparel. Representing the Pata family at the event, Bryan’s mother Jeanette, sister Ronette and brother Edwin Pierre-Pata.
From our family over at The U, allCanes welcomed some of the UM cheerleaders and Sebastian The Ibis, as well as linebackers coach Micheal Barrow and former wide receiver Lamar Thomas. Former Dolphins great and NFL Hall of Fame member Larry Little was in attendance, as was Canes baseball coach Jim Morris and announcer Don Bailey Jr.
NBC6’s Tony Segreto was involved again, co-hosting the event with the Patas.
Upwards of 30 youths selected by the City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department, the Hank Cline Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Pata Memorial Fund participated.
More to come on this story. For now we wanted to bring everyone up to speed before the holidays and to get the photos posted.
Great job! All kids need to know they’re special and they matter, especially during the holiday season.
-Columbus Cane