Dwyane Wade spent a day playing Santa, making three stops on a Saturday as part of his Wade’s World Foundation’s “3 Under the Tree” program. Chicago’s record gun violence — which personally touched Wade shortly after he returned to his hometown in July, signing with the Bulls after 13 years with the Miami Heat — factored into his holiday efforts this year.
Wade’s 32-year-old cousin and mother of four, Nykea Aldridge, was killed on Aug. 26 as she pushed her baby in a stroller. His first stop was at the home of a needy Austin family that received all new furniture and gifts. Second stop was the By The Hand Club For Kids in Austin, where he hosted a pizza party with gifts for 100 kids. Final stop was Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Magnificent Mile, where four families whose loved ones were among the more than 750 people killed in Chicago’s deadliest year were treated to a holiday surprise.