Kevin Warren Provides Christmas Meal at U of M Masonic Children's Hospital
Vikings Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren hosted a Christmas dinner for patients, families, caregivers and staff on Friday at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. More than 350 people enjoyed the holiday meal during a time they were unable to be at home.
Warren hosted a similar event for Thanksgiving and plans to host another for Easter in 2016.
The dinners are part of a continuing commitment to the hospital. Last December, the Kevin and his wife, Greta, donated $1 million to establish "Carolyn’s Comforts," a support network and emergency assistance fund for families going through difficult times.
"Last night was an incredibly special night," Warren said. "Hosting it on Christmas night made it a festive environment, and Chef Jerry [Evans] did an incredible job with the food," Warren said. "My sister would have been really happy."
Antone Exum Gives Shopping Spree to Family
On Wednesday, Vikings safety Antone Exum, Jr. granted extra holiday cheer to the Collins family. According to an Instagram post by Exum, he decided in advance to individually bless a single mother and her children. Exum went to a department store, and there he met the Collins family, who had recently relocated from Chicago and had very few finances for gifts.
Exum spent time with the family and let the two children, Lyana and De'Martes, purchase whatever they wanted for Christmas.
"I'll never forget the happiness in that family's face and eyes! Ever!" Exum wrote on Instagram.
The act was not unprecedented by Exum. In 2012, the safety played at the Russell Athletic Bowl with Virginia Tech and received a $470 Best Buy gift card as a Bowl participant. Rather than use the gift card for himself, Exum gifted a mini shopping spree to three boys he had never met that were shopping at the electronics store.
