Sly and friend.

The New Jersey Nets’ team mascot, Sly the Silver Fox, led 25 children from Family Promise Affiliates in northern New Jersey, on a shopping spree at Toys “R” Us in Paramus on December 14th. Representatives from the Nets, Toys “R” Us and Family Promise Affiliates in Sussex, Essex and Morris counties took part in the pre-holiday festivities.

Each child was presented with a $200 gift card and turned loose in the aisles of Toys “R” Us. With Sly’s help, they quickly filled their carts with video games, doll houses and action figures. It was hard to tell who was having more fun—the kids or their parents.

Shopping success!

Sussex County Director Julie Schuldner said, “The generosity of the Nets provided our children with the opportunity to select their own gifts at Toys R Us this holiday season, always a particularly challenging time for homeless families. In the words of one young shopper, ‘This was the best day of my life.’”

The shopping spree was funded by the NETS Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic arm of NETS Basketball, as part of its Season of Giving initiative. It followed on the heels of the Nets’ donation of 125 turkey dinners to families at our Bergen and Morris County Affiliates over the Thanksgiving holidays.

Thanks very much, Nets. Your generosity is making a difference for families in need throughout New Jersey this holiday season.