Shaq O’Neal, the legendary basketball player and one of the richest athletes in the world, is not only known for his skills on the court but also for his incredible acts of kindness. Recently, Shaq surprised a family of 11 in Texas, known as “The Collins Kids,” with a visit that changed their lives forever.
A Story of Kindness Goes Viral
Shaq believes in the power of doing good deeds and has made a promise to himself to do at least one good thing every time he leaves the house. It’s no wonder that his good deeds 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 started 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 didn’t stop 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 wasn’t always reliable. This generous gift from Shaq was an amazing blessing, especially for Karissa, who is expecting another child. Although the van had to be ordered and customized, it was worth the wait. 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’s 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. Not realizing 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 didn’t 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! It was a gesture that showed how much Shaq cares about not just material gifts but also about improving the overall well-being of the people he helps.
Priceless Moments of Love and Support
Apart from the material blessings, Shaq gave the Collins Kids something even more valuable—he gave them 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 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 and 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—a day they will never forget.
Inspiring Kindness in our Communities
Shaq’s inspiring acts of kindness remind us all of the power we have to make a difference, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s a simple act of kindness to 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. Let’s make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.
