A Touching Story Goes Viral
Shaq O’Neal, the legendary basketball player and one of the wealthiest athletes, is not just renowned for his skills on the court but also for his incredible acts of kindness. Recently, Shaq surprised a large family of 11 in Texas, known as “The Collins Kids,” with a visit that left a lasting impact on their lives.
Making a Promise to Do Good
Shaq believes in the power of doing good deeds, and he has made a personal promise to himself to do at least one kind thing every time he leaves the house. It is no surprise that his acts of kindness often go viral and touch the hearts of many.
In a heartwarming Instagram post on February 23, Karissa, the mother of the Collins Kids, shared the story of how Shaq helped their family. It all began with a dinner at Babe’s Chicken, where Shaq treated them to a delightful meal and spent quality time with them.
A Blessing in Disguise: The Surprise Gift
But Shaq’s kindness did not end there. The next day, he took the family to a Mercedes-Benz store and surprised them with a brand-new 15-person van. The Collins Kids had been outgrowing their 12-passenger van, and the air conditioning was not always reliable. This generous gift from Shaq was an incredible blessing, especially for Karissa, who is expecting another child. Although the van had to be ordered and customized, the wait was worth it. The new van is scheduled to arrive in July!
Karissa’s husband, Mandrae Collins, works as a manager at a Mercedes-Benz store in Fort Worth and used to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. So, it is safe to say that the surprise from Shaq was even more meaningful for their family.
Going Above and Beyond: Acts of Generosity
Following the van surprise, Shaq took the Collins Kids to the Rainforest Café for dinner, where he once again demonstrated his incredible generosity. Unaware that several tables were occupied by visiting missionaries, Shaq paid for their entire meal. And when he learned that their waitress’s car had broken down earlier that day, he left her an enormous $1,000 tip. Shaq’s kindness knows no bounds.
But Shaq did not forget about Mandrae either. He noticed that Mandrae’s truck had been without air conditioning and heat for a while. So, he took the family to a Ford store and got Mandrae a brand-new truck! This gesture showed how much Shaq cares not just about material gifts but also about improving the overall well-being of the people he helps.
Priceless Moments of Love and Support
In addition to the material blessings, Shaq gave the Collins Kids something even more valuable — his time, encouragement, and love. Karissa mentioned how Shaq spent time with their family, loving and supporting their children. His kind words and positive energy were truly priceless.
When asked how she knew Shaq, Karissa explained that their connection began on Instagram. Shaq reached out to her a few months ago and sent her kids a video expressing his love for watching them. He even offered to be their “Uncle Shaq.” Karissa gladly accepted his offer as she grew up watching Shaq play basketball, and her kids were fans of his commercials and movies.
It happened to be Karissa’s birthday when Shaq was in town, so he decided to stop by and wish her a happy day. Karissa described the experience as “surreal” and expressed her gratitude for the love and attention Shaq bestowed upon their family. He played games with the kids, shared words of encouragement, took pictures, and showered them with gifts. It was a day they will never forget.
Inspiring Kindness in our Communities
Shaq’s inspiring acts of kindness serve as a reminder of the power we all have to make a difference, no matter how small or big. Whether it is a simple act of kindness towards a stranger or a generous gesture that changes a family’s life, we can all follow in Shaq’s footsteps and spread love and positivity in our communities. Together, let us make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.
