Shaquille O’Neal has unquestionably been blessed in life. Aside from building wealth in the NBA, the basketball legend has made sound financial judgments and investments.
He is still reaping the benefits of his efforts now.
Shaq, 49, is one of the wealthiest players in the world, and he not only splurges on himself and his family, but he also makes it a point to share his fortune with others. In fact, he is well-known for his charity, and his charitable activities have gone viral numerous times.
Shaq challenged himself to do at least one good deed every time he would leave the house, and it appears that the man has been faithfully sticking to this goal.
Shaq’s latest show of generosity involved a Texas family of 11, known on Instagram as “The Collins Kids.”
Last month, the sports star surprised the family with a visit and treated them to dinner at Babe’s Chicken.
“It was so much fun to just hang out and eat dinner with him,” Karissa, 36, wrote on Instagram and Facebook.
Shaq, on the other hand, didn’t want it to end with a simple meal. The next day, he brought the family to a Mercedes-Benz dealership and bought them a brand-new 15-passenger van!
“He had no idea we were outgrowing our 12-passenger van and the air conditioning wasn’t always working the best, so this is such an unbelievable blessing,” said Karissa, who is expecting her second child. “They didn’t have any in stock, so we got to customize and order a van that should be here in July.”
Mandrae Collins, a former Harlem Globetrotter, works as a manager at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Fort Worth.
Shaq then led them to Rainforest Café for supper, where he paid for another table’s entire meal without knowing they were from out of state and there on mission.
After learning that their waitress’ car had broken down that day, the basketball legend lavished the server with a $1,000 tip.
Mandrae, 38, owned a pickup that had been operating for a time without air conditioning or heat. Shaq was unaware of this, but when he saw the vehicle, he decided to drive the family to a Ford dealership and purchase a new truck for the father!
Shaq had non-material gifts for the family in addition to the dinners and costly gifts.
“He also spent time encouraging us, loving on our children, and speaking life into our family,” added Karissa. “I’m at a complete loss for words.”
When a Facebook follower inquired about how Karissa met Shaq, the blogger and owner of Rooted in Christ Boutique replied that it was through Instagram.
Karissa revealed the story of how Shaq got to know them in a post on January 12.
“A few months ago, he reached out to me on Instagram and sent my kids a video about how much he loved watching them and that they should call him Uncle Shaq,” she said.
Shaq expressed an interest in paying them a visit, and Karissa consented.
“Of course, we’d love to meet him and hang out with him.” “I grew up watching him play baseball, and my kids love seeing him in commercials and movies,” she explained.
Shaq happened to be in town on Karissa’s birthday, so he paid them a visit. She called the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity “surreal.”
“He came in and played “Watch ya mouth” with the kids, loved on them, encouraged them, entertained them, took pictures with them, gave them gifts, encouraged us as parents, and just showed us so much love,” Karissa said.
Karissa mentioned that her two young children, Anthym and Anchor, are wary of strangers. They, on the other hand, gravitated toward Shaq and demanded that he hold them.
Shaq’s attempts to give back to the community are truly motivating, and we should all strive to emulate him in our own small ways!