ItsAUThing.com — Formerly allCanesBlog.com — It's All About 'The U'!

One of the most special days of the year happened last week when allCanes hosted its 6th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree For Kids in conjunction with the UM athletic department and NBC-6.

Tony Segreto, a UM graduate and longtime anchorman for NBC-6, was on hand to host along with Head Basketball Coach Frank Haith, Head Baseball Coach Jim Morris and former UM and NFL star linebacker Micheal Barrow.

Twenty five at-risk youths from the Hank Cline Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami were treated to a special day at the allCanes on-campus store. It began with a dinner and entertainment provided by the UM Ibis, the UM Sunsations and Jenna Edwards, the reigning Miss Florida USA. Following dinner and singing of carols, the group met the celebrities and coaches inside the store and were each given $100 gift certificates to shop for presents.

“This is one of the most important days of the year for us,” said allCanes General Manager Harry Rothwell. “To see these kids’ faces light up when they meet the coaches and players and get to pick out gifts for themselves…well, it just warms the heart. We owe a debt of thanks to Tony (Segreto) and NBC-6, which has given us great support, and the UM coaches and athletes. It’s amazing how they can always find time to participate in this event no matter how busy they are. They are great people, and we’re proud to have them in our family.”

The event was supported by private donations from allCanes customers and friends as well as corporate partners like Kerry Burns, owner of Miami Wings, Dan Kaplan and Chef Pedro Rosata of Roasters N Toasters and Bill Archer of The Big Cheese.