Dallas Cowboys Give the Gift of Happiness to Children in Local Hospitals This Holiday Season

The Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are spreading holiday cheer by keeping a yearly tradition running. Following the long weekend after the Cowboys’ 41-35 win against the Seahawks, the team spent their Monday morning giving back to those who need it most.

A Long-Standing Dallas Cowboys Tradition

The team visited multiple hospitals across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, all thanks to an event that UnitedHealthcare sponsored.

The organization spent the morning at Scottish Rite for Children, Medical City Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health in Dallas, and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.

This is a long-standing, 34-year-old tradition led every year by Mrs. Gene Jones. During the visits, each kid received a stocking gift bag loaded with goodies from the Cowboys. The players also partake in individual room visits, play games, and, of course, sign plenty of autographs for the kids and their families.

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WR Brandin Cooks attended the Scottish Rite for Children event and even visited some kids in their rooms. This was Cooks’ first time participating in this event, and he says it was a special day for him to spend time with the kids.

“It’s a blessing, right? Anytime you can bring light to someone’s day, that’s what it’s all about — especially during this time of the year. You come in, and they almost forget they’re in the hospital,” said Cooks.

Cooks says events like this put everything into perspective for him — especially being a father himself.

WR KaVontae Turpin was also in attendance at Scottish Rite and says the event hit close to home, as his aunt is dealing with medical issues right now, as well.

“You gotta take it all in… my auntie, she’s going through some of the same things the kids are going through. It kind of hit me different,” said Turpin.

But the receiver says he’s glad to be part of the long-standing tradition to make the kids’ dreams come true. He also says seeing the kids fight their illnesses leaks over onto the field when he plays — something All-Pro OL Zack Martin agrees with.

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Martin added that while he has done this every year since his rookie season, the feeling of giving back never gets old.

“It warms your heart to get out here and see some of these kids. Just the smiles on their faces, and it’s pretty cool during the holiday season,” said Martin.

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