Christmas came a little early for hundreds of children thanks to Dwyane Wade's foundation.
The Heat star donned a red and white hat as he played Santa for a day, handing out toys to children from different youth and church organizations in South Florida Thursday.
The kids got to live it up at Santa's Enchanted Forest, getting dizzy on the rides and trying their luck at the games. Kery Mauvais called it the best day of his life.
"I didn't expect to go up to Dwyane Wade and shake his hand,” the 17-year-old said. “I told him you make me proud to be a Heat fan, and he said that's what's up.”
D-Wade signed autographs – and a $10,000 check for Art Studio Miami, a program that brings art education to schools in Little Haiti.
Sophomore David Alexis said his newfound love for art has opened up opportunities he did not think he had.
"I'll be the first one in my family to go to a university,” he said.
Meantime big kid Wade, 29, was eager to hand out his favorite toy – the T-Pain microphone.
"Lil Wayne makes me feel like I can rap so I want to see who gets that gift, I might keep that for myself,” he said.
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Wade wasn’t the only Heat star giving back three days before Christmas (and four before the season opener).
Over at Sunset Place, Santa Chris Bosh shot some hoops off the field at Game Works, where he held an event for a hundred kids with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami.
After having a blast on the game floor, they were able to treat themselves to $100 of merchandise at the Nike store.
"I was a kid that didn't have everything growing up and people took the time to help me, teach me to play basketball,” Bosh said, “and that's why I do events like this."
