MINNEAPOLIS — No. 18 made a tremendous impact Nov. 18.

On this occasion, however, Justin Jefferson wasn't dressed in a helmet and shoulder pads and on the brink of obliterating records. His heart was on the sleeves of a suave tracksuit, and he was altering lives.

"I'm speechless, still, so I'ma try to figure out some words," Lavasha Smith said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "I feel like my prayers have been answered. I feel emotional. I'm just grateful."

Moments earlier, Smith's happiness runneth over. Salty water speckled her complexion as Ty Sims, her 14-year-old son, unwrapped a series of gifts at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

"I'm used to being able to provide things for my son; this year it just wasn't that way all the time. We hit some hardships," Smith shared. "It's just been a rocky year, so to see – yeah, I don't want to cry again.

"I'm more introverted as you probably can see. [It's all] overwhelming a little bit, but joyful, and I'm excited because my son is excited," Smith continued. "He's really social, he's really into this type of stuff."

Sims was one of three children and Smith was one of two mothers who were surprised at a holiday giveback event last month graciously put on by Jefferson in collaboration with the Jeremiah Program, a national organization that helps re-author outcomes for single moms and families.

"This is something more for them than for me," said Jefferson, expressing its importance to him. "To have that smile, to have that genuine transaction, it's always something that's special to really go through and experience. … It makes me feel great – the ability to have this platform and have a voice."

Sims and Smith stayed cozy inside, away from the evening's cold rain, and basked in festivities along with Minnesotan Bailey Eaton and her two kids, 7-year-old daughter Zaviera and 3-year-old son Cammeron.

Jefferson had unique interactions with each young person.

With Zaviera, he whipped out his iconic touchdown dance, the Griddy, and asked what present she enjoyed the most; meeting him was better than any of them, she replied. Laughs were mandatory with Cammeron, whose gifts were themed around transit – most notably a Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage playset, Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter and light blue electric dump truck fashioned with shock-proof wheels for different terrains – and caused him to skip some group photo ops as he played at Jefferson's feet.

"It was amazing," Eaton said. "I don't think we've ever had anything like it.

"I was told to choose five items that my kids would like or something similar to it, so I did that," Eaton added with an awestruck smile, "but they went above and beyond and got those items and then some."

The children had supplied wish lists in the weeks leading up to Jefferson's big reveal, which was unbeknownst to the families when they received word of when and where to go for a special event.

The red carpet was rolled out for everyone.

"Mm-hmm, I like those sunglasses!" exclaimed Smith, referencing a pair she rocked. "And I got a hat! I also got some other merch, and I got a speaker – and that's crazy because I just said I needed a speaker!"

Smith was blown away that Jefferson's generosity extended to the adults.

"I didn't know what to expect coming in," she reflected. "I didn't expect for them to [purchase all of] the gifts; I kind of just put them on there. And then they got me stuff, too, and I didn't ask for anything."

Jefferson attributed his giving spirit to his upbringing and realization in his youth that not everyone was privileged to things that he was afforded. He's interested in lending help that "comes from the heart."

"Seeing those smiles and seeing the laughter," said Jefferson, "is always something that brings me joy."

It certainly stamped a smile to Sims' face that wouldn't fade soon.

"That really cheered me up," Sims voiced. "I needed that."

After receiving a Schwinn 29-inch mountain bike, PlayStation 5 gaming console and other gifts often obsessed over by teenagers, Sims disclosed that he recently finished his freshman football season at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and had a tough go at it. Meeting Jefferson restored his mindset.

"I look up to Justin. I've always wanted to be like him," Sims stated, remembering his first encounter with the Vikings wide receiver. "A while ago I was on the turf with my school because we were sponsored to go on the turf and I high-fived Justin Jefferson. I was like, 'I'll never wash this hand again. Never again!' "

Throughout the event, Jefferson entertained Sims' friends and teammates on FaceTime calls – "They were going crazy!" Sims declared – and exchanged username information on PlayStation and Instagram.

Sims' aspirations to play athletics beyond high school resonated with Jefferson.

"I would like to say he looks up to me," Jefferson said. "So [I gave him] little words of advice, [to keep] working hard and to just continue being a kid. Being a kid is something that doesn't really last very long, especially being in the sport that he wants to play in, so just taking every moment and running with it."

Jefferson was the gift that kept giving.

Before the night's final socializing, he unveiled an extra-personal present, inviting all five guests to Minnesota's upcoming game against Chicago on Monday Night Football. Along with tickets, Jefferson handed out three "Winter Warrior" autographed white helmets and teased pregame sideline access.

Zaviera, whose gifts included a princess vanity set and Healthy Roots doll with fabulous curled hair akin to hers, only darker, instantly took a liking to the helmet and tried to don it as sharply as Jefferson does.

The MNF game will be Zaviera's second game day experience at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Cammeron's first. The Eatons were invited on behalf of former Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr to attend the Dec. 23 game against Green Bay in 2019. Bailey noted, "My daughter remembers it because we love the Vikings."

"It's always special to be in U.S. Bank and to see what I do on a daily basis," Jefferson remarked. "To give them tickets and for them to come to a Monday night game, not just any game but a Monday night, it's always a special opportunity. And to see how excited they are to go to that game, I'm excited for them."

"I'm very grateful, very appreciative for everything that he did for me," Sims said smiling.

Smith only knows sports through her son, which meant she observed Jefferson's kindness objectively.

"I have to admit, I didn't really know who he was," she said with a laugh. "But he's so sweet and humble, and I can tell this was coming from his heart, so I really appreciated that and how they just connected."