NBA's Russell Westbrook Spreads Christmas Joy as He Hands Out Shoes, Backpacks to DC Students

New Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook surprised students at The Children's Guild D.C. Charter School with sweet giveaways he handed out via their holiday drive on Monday.

Russell Westbrook is making waves both on and off the basketball court. Newly traded to the Wizards, he already made his debut for his new team and conducted his first community event.

The Wizards guard partnered with The Children's Guild D.C. Public Charter School to hand out special holiday giveaways to almost 300 children in grades from K through 8.

GIVING BACK

At the drive-thru event, Westbrook personally handed out gifts to students, which consisted of wristbands, branded facemasks, Jordan shoes, and backpacks. Committed to change, Westbrook said:

"It is very important not just to come to a new place but to show that you actually care about a community."

WORKING TOWARDS CHANGE

Westbrook shared that receiving something like a backpack for Christmas is a blessing because of where he grew up, and he wants to use his fame to leave the world a better place than how he found it.

“I’m trying to change the world. If I’m not with my kids, my family at home, I’m working on community aspects and trying to give back as much as I give to the game," Westbrook added.

DEEP-SEATED PHILANTHROPY

To that end, Westbrook often gets involved in community outreach programs. For Thanksgiving, when he still played for the Houston Rockets, Westbrook held his 9th annual dinner event in Los Angeles.

The basketball player served more than a thousand meals to those in need amid these increasingly challenging times, wanting to help the community and feeling "blessed" that his platform can help him with that.

The 32-year-old, who grew up in Hawthorne, California, also founded the Why Not? Foundation for children. Wanting to inspire children never to give up on their dreams, the foundation helps those facing hardships.

Russell Westbrook also shows generous appreciation for the efforts of others, like the housekeepers that looked after him and his team while they isolated in the Disney World bubble in September.

The Rockets were assigned an entire floor at the Grand Floridian Hotel, and the quality of service impressed Westbrook so much that he left the housekeepers an $8,000 tip.