Kelly Cares, ND football players pay for local students' holiday gifts

MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- The Fighting Irish football team took over the Meijer on Grape Road on Saturday with their new teammates right by their side.

More than 200 boys and girls from local elementary and middle schools took home bags full of toys and Christmas presents all made possible by the Kelly Cares Foundation.

A foundation created to strengthen “communities and inspires hope by investing resources to improve health & education,” started by Notre Dame head football Coach, Brian Kelley, and his wife, Paqui.

“A couple of kids got run over when we started this event,” said Brian Kelly.

The couple said this is their sixth year hosting the event. This year, Kelly said he was most touched when he noticed some of the children using their $100 credit on their family members, rather than themselves.

“It’s really quite nice to see that even the young kids, not just thinking about themselves,” he said.