Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has done a lot for the community in recent years, and became more aggressive with his efforts by founding the Wild Horse Foundation.
That was again the case this holiday season, as although he was on a Christmas trip to Europe with his mother, Puig and the Wild Horse Foundation donated 600 Mattel toys to underprivileged children at the Evergreen Recreation Center in East Los Angeles.
Puig commented on the good deed that he decided to do for the children, saying he wanted to help struggling families and make Christmas a little bit better for them and their kids, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“I wanted to help families who have struggled to provide for their families all year long and probably are worried about how they will buy their kids gifts for Christmas,” Puig said. “When you are a parent you want to do so much for your children.”
“I am happy that hundreds of children will have a brand new Mattel toy for Christmas which may help their family worry a little less,” Puig said. “I hope this small act makes Christmas a little better for the community in East L.A./Boyle Heights.”
Dozens of children were on hand to receive their barbies, cars and other toys, as #SantaPuig sent his elves to East Los Angeles on Dec. 19.
The #SantaPuig truck for the @wildhorsefdn and his elves showed up in East LA today and handed out new toys to the needy families and kids in the community. We hope that we made their hearts smile. I wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a Merry Christmas#Puigyuorfriend😀 pic.twitter.com/xJmcVxpgT0
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) December 20, 2017
Puig, who was close to being traded and wound up being demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2016, seems to have gotten his act together and is now a fan favorite for the Dodgers not only for his play on the field, but for the outstanding work he is doing in the community.
In recent months, Puig has provided back-to-school supplies for elementary-age children, and donated to multiple hurricane relief efforts.
