BOSTON – Since arriving in Boston as a rookie in 2006, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has built a special bond with the kids from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC). The non-profit works to ensure the health and safety of children through direct services to children and families.
Throughout the years, Rondo has taken youth from MSPCC’s afterschool program roller skating, school shopping and holiday shopping. Thursday afternoon, the point guard continued the tradition by taking 22 kids shopping at Macy’s. Each child received $250.00 to buy clothes and accessories.
“I’ve always had a close relationship with MSPCC and the youth they work with,” said Rondo. “A lot of the kids don’t have adequate clothing for the winter and may not be receiving Christmas gifts so I’m glad we were able to come to Macy’s today to shop.”
Before the shopping began, the group congregated in a conference room to eat an early dinner and spend some time with Rondo. Some of the kids remembered him from years past and quickly filled him in on their lives since they saw him last.
The kids knew that they were going shopping but they didn’t know how much money they were allotted to spend. Rondo saved that announcement to end their meal.
“I have a budget sheet for all of you,” stated the guard. “You’re going to have $250.00 to shop with. When you pick out your first item make sure to subtract that from 250 and that will let you know how much you have left to spend. Keep doing that for everything you select until you have spent all your money.”
The kids cheered with excitement as they headed to the junior level at Macy’s. They then rushed to different sections of the store to began their day of shopping.
Rondo gave the kids some help with their math, in addition to using his fashion sense to help them select their clothes.
As the event came to a close, the group thanked Rondo for everything he had done for them and promised to keep in touch. The smiles on their faces said it all, as it proved to be a memorable day for everyone involved.
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