Cam Newton reprises Santa role, distributes gifts to the community

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton spread holiday cheer throughout the community on Tuesday.

Cam Newton has been a lightning rod for controversy even before he was selected No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011. No stranger to the spotlight and critics alike, Newton has always done things his way, often with no apologies, trying to impact those around him and lead the Panthers football team.

The holiday season happens to coincide with Carolina Panthers football and Newton has always been supportive of those in the Charlotte and surrounding communities. His foundation, the Cam Newton Foundation, aims to impact the lives of young people in a variety of ways.

After providing numerous meals at his annual Thanksgiving Jam last month, Newton reprised his role as one of Santa’s elves and made numerous stops around Charlotte to gift money and items to kids and different charities. In what has become an annual event, Santa Cam’s Surprise Sleigh made stops at Shamrock Gardens Elementary, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Bethlehem Center and Camino Community Center.

Teaming with his foundation and Conn’s Home Plus, Newton handed out 180 bicycles, helmets, Conn’s gift cards, $15,000 each to both the Bethlehem and Camino Community Center, in addition to other goodies and numerous smiles at every stop.

The national media is always quick to jump on any story involving Newton, except for his continuous efforts to impact children and his community. Newton and his foundation have made strides to grow all of their annual events and each year seemingly gets bigger and better – the Surprise Sleigh was no different.

Totals were not immediately available for the amount of goodness spread by Newton but you can view a complete recap of last year’s festivities here.