Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and … 47 Hot Wheels cars?

There was no partridge in a pear tree at the Vikings and SCHEELS annual Toys for Tots drive, but 4-year-old Donnie certainly got all the gifts he wanted — and almost all had four wheels.

"Donnie's a big car guy; he likes the red ones," quipped Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, who pushed the young man in a shopping cart around SCHEELS in search of tiny toy automobiles and, of course, a dinosaur-themed garage to store them all.

T.J. did also help select sneakers — Donnie was insistent on pink-and-white — and some new winter gear for the youngster. The latter was especially appreciated by Donnie's mother, a 2024 graduate of Jeremiah Program.

"It was a lot of fun to see him smile and have such a great time," T.J. said. "It's Christmas time, so you love to see those smiles on people's faces [and see them] get new coats, new winter stuff, and then to be able to also get toys, as well."

T.J. kicked off the shopping spree after doing an interview with "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen on KFAN's 9 to Noon. KFAN broadcasted live from SCHEELS throughout the entire day, while fans and listeners donated enough toys to fill 16 mammoth crates. The Vikings and SCHEELS once again teamed up to provide $1,000 shopping sprees to single mothers who have completed Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit focused on disrupting the cycle of poverty two generations at a time, and their children.

Jeremiah Program Family Coach Hannah Hummel expressed gratitude for the Vikings longstanding partnership with the organization and noted that families participating in the shopping sprees will be impacted far beyond the day itself.

"It's a very big day, and it can be even a little nerve-racking for mom or the kids being around so many people they didn't know, but then they go home and truly [soak in] this joy," Hummel said. "We see that truly last a while. It's really great to see the players interacting with the kids and standing out as a role model, letting the kids know that being an NFL player is something they could potentially be if they wanted to. It's important for them to know things like this are achievable for them, too."

Portia Jackson graduated from Jeremiah Program in 2003, accomplishing her degree as a young mother. Two decades later, she works for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and enjoys helping other families who may be facing difficult circumstances.

"The opportunity to be able to focus on post-secondary education, to be able to focus on [success for me and my children, not just me, was huge]," Portia said. "And also, the safe and affordable housing was very important. So without Jeremiah Program, you know, I probably would have still gotten to where I am today, but it would have been a lot more difficult."

Portia and her two youngest children, twin boys Nick and Kobe, were able to join Trishton Jackson for a morning shopping spree highlighted by new basketballs, Nike hoodies, down jackets, LEGOs and a trip through the SCHEELS candy store. Portia and the twins also shopped alongside Jeremiah Program graduate Libby, who now serves as a social worker, and her two sons.

Trishton chatted comfortably with the four boys, swapping stories about school, sports and clothes.

"I love to see this, because I was in their shoes once," said Trishton, who spent two hours with the families. "This is the best thing, for me to be able to do this and give back – and especially to work with kids. [I also] talked to the moms today and got a good idea of their stories, and it kind of hits home for me and makes me want to help people even more. I'm just blessed to be in a situation to be able to give back."

In addition to the families who shopped with Trishton and T.J., other moms and their children were paired with linebacker Blake Cashman, cornerback Shaq Griffin and safety Joshua Metellus.

Shaq enjoyed shopping with three siblings and helping them pick out new hats, toys and clothing.

"She's a professional shopper," he quipped of the young girl, who headed straight to a wall of Stanley mugs to select a hot pink one.

"If I was one of these kids at this age, I know this would be something I'd be talking about for the rest of my life," Shaq said. "Just phenomenal moments. And for me as an NFL player, being able to give back, it's a great opportunity and something me and my fiancée have talked about a lot, getting a chance to give back, and we tend to be a part of it every year. Being part of a new area, Minnesota, our first year, it's been awesome, and I love being around the kids."

While Shaq has been a new addition to the Twin Cities this season, it's been quite the opposite for Blake, an Eden Prairie native who this spring returned to his home state to join the Vikings as a free agent.

Blake had the opportunity to spend time with 4-year-old Knowledge and his mother, who as Portia's daughter is a second-generation beneficiary of Jeremiah Program and its resources.

"A lot of [this experience] made me think about how I was as a little boy. He was full of energy, running around," Blake laughed. "It was funny, his family wants to get him new clothes, new shoes, some boots for wintertime, but he's all focused on the toys and games. I was the same way as a kid, for sure.

"It's the holiday season and time to give back," he added. "I think for all of us, we grew up with athletes we looked up to and idolized as kids, and they kind of paved the way and gave back to their community … so this is definitely a special moment for me, too — a full-circle moment, in a way."