CHICAGO – The Bears rookie class made a grand entrance at Tuesday’s “Making Wishes Come True” holiday giving party at Soldier Field, riding down an escalator en masse into the United Club.

As they waved to the crowd, it was hard to tell who was more excited to be there, the young football players—who wore their Bears jerseys and Santa Claus hats—or the scores of children on hand to greet them.

 

Rookie cornerback D.J. Moore poses with fans at Tuesday's "Making Wishes Come True" party.

“It means a lot,” receiver Johnny Knox said of the warm response the players received. “I’m pretty sure if any of us were having a bad morning, this is lifting us up, just being here and seeing the smiles on their faces.”

 

More than 500 people attended the second annual holiday party, which was co-hosted by the Bears, Bears Care and United Airlines. Knox was joined by fellow rookies Al Afalava, Johan Asiata, Kahlil Bell, Kevin Brock, Jarron Gilbert, Juaquin Iglesias, Lance Louis, Kevin Malast, Henry Melton, D.J. Moore, Will Ta’ufo’ou and Woodny Turenne.

Bears staff members, coaches and players, along with United Airlines employees, had the opportunity to “adopt” a child or family and grant their holiday wishes by purchasing gifts on their wish lists.

The non-profit organizations benefiting from the holiday giving initiative include Chicago House, Humboldt Park Social Services, James Jordan Foundation, Mercy Housing, Interfaith Council for the Homeless, Chicago Park District Youth Football and Southwest Organizing Project.

“All of us rookies hope this brightens their Christmas,” Knox said of the kids. “This is fun for us, and we’re going to make this as fun as we can for them.”

The Bears players assisted with various activities at the event, including bingo, musical chairs, baggo games, a youth football obstacle course, football toss and crafts. Melton and Asiata sang Karaoke songs with fans, Afalava played musical chairs, and Knox raced Iglesias to a draw in the obstacle course.

“I just love being around kids,” Afalava said. “It’s just amazing when we came how kids know your name. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here. Hopefully we can have some fun and hopefully they’ll remember this.”

Yolanda Brown of Chicago attended the event with her three children—Jalonda, 7, James, 5, and Jasmine, 1.

“This is really nice,” she said. “It means a lot. We always watch the Bears play on TV, and I’m telling the kids that this is where they play, and they’re really excited. This is a blessing. I don’t know how to stop saying thank you.”

KyToya Fultz was on hand with her cousins, Kalber, 6, and Kevin, 3.

“Their faces are lighting up,” she said. “They want more pictures with Santa, and they want to know what they’re getting for Christmas. They don’t want to sit down. They want to do more things. There are so many opportunities here for the kids.”