Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins teamed up with West Herr for the first "Shnowman Express" on Tuesday.
The Showman Express gives children from the most vulnerable areas of Western New York a chance to have a once in a life time Christmas, with Dawkins acting as "Santa." In total, over 500 kids received gifts.
The three-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award says his love for the community is why he does so much for them.
"This is one of the coolest things ever. These people here wrote some stuff down on the list, and they probably had no idea that they were going to get the stuff that they wrote down on the list," said Dawkins on Tuesday. "Some of these people got Beats by Dr. Dre, PS5s, hoverboards, real things. I think when you could literally bless somebody, it's the biggest part of it. But I appreciate the nominee. But this is what life is really about, in my eyes. I'm thankful to be in a position to do this. West Herr, my family, together, we make a lot of people happy."
Bills cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram also tagged along for Shnowman Express to give each kid a copy of the book he made, "The Lil' Player That Could."
"It came from my heart. You know, one of my former teammates, Brandon, and my coach from high school, John Woodrow, they both gave me the motivation to put my thoughts onto paper based on my story and what I've been through to make it to the point where I am now. They were a big inspiration behind it. Then thinking about kids and how I could inspire them with my story to chase whatever dream that they want to like," shared Ingram.
Ingram's book can be purchase at local shops, or online at storytalewonderland.com.