Christmas Time in the City: The Philly Specials are the Gift That Keeps Giving
Football’s favorite holiday singing trio, former NFL Eagle Jason Kelce, and current Eagles linemen, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson aka, The Philly Specials, will bring joy again this year to the city they call home with their annual charitable initiative, Operation Snowball. Today, November 7th, The Philly Specials, in a partnership with Just Play, have opened pre-orders for The Holiday Huddle, a collectible set of plushies in the likeness of the players dressed in festive midnight green sweaters embroidered with their names and numbers.
Sized between 8.5 and 9.25 inches, this 3-pack of ultra life-like collectible plushies come ready to squish and make the perfect gift for high-flying sports fans, music lovers, holiday helpers, and kids ages 3 years and up. Pre-orders for the $49.99 plushie set can be made via The Philly Specials official website and orders ship the week of Thanksgiving on November 24.
Sized between 8.5 and 9.25 inches, this 3-pack of ultra life-like collectible plushies come ready to squish and make the perfect gift for high-flying sports fans, music lovers, holiday helpers, and kids ages 3 years and up. Pre-orders for the $49.99 plushie set can be made via The Philly Specials official website and orders ship the week of Thanksgiving on November 24.
In the tradition established in 2022, proceeds from the annual initiative will be donated to various local non-profits. Operation Snowball inspires the spirit of giving and surprises charities and organizations by bringing joy to Philadelphia families and students during the holidays. What began as a heartfelt holiday album from Kelce, Mailata, and Johnson has become a yearly movement of generosity, delight, and spreading the holiday spirit.
In addition to the plushies, A Philly Special Box Set of all three albums on vinyl and CD, A Philly Special Christmas Party on vinyl and CD, and greeting cards are all available for purchase via the official website.
“When we released the first album, A Philly Special Christmas, we had no idea how impactful it would be – for both the organizations we supported and the joy we were able to spread throughout the city. Last year our efforts culminated with a citywide initiative that provided a gift for every student in the School District of Philadelphia,” says Vera Y Records and Operation Snowball executive producer Connor Barwin. “We are excited to continue the tradition of giving and fun with new surprises for a fourth holiday season this year."
“Making music with my friends and donating to organizations committed to making the lives of Philadelphia families and students brighter during the holidays has been a highlight of the past three years," says Jordan Mailata. “We are looking forward to bringing the joy back again this year with proceeds from the new plushies, and a few other surprises.”
Operation Snowball, launched in 2024 as an ambitious city-wide initiative delivering holiday gifts to every student in the Philadelphia public and charter school system (more than 200,000 children and teachers were recipients). On December 17, 2024, Jason, Lane, and Jordan visited three schools to give high fives, lead sing-alongs, and hand-deliver gifts to students including the Junior ROTC and Honor Roll students at Ben Franklin High School. The event kicked off at Eliza B. Kirkbride School, continued on to Ben Franklin HS, and ended at Alliance for Progress Charter School with an unforgettable day filled with fun and the joy of the holiday season.
In addition to the plushies, A Philly Special Box Set of all three albums on vinyl and CD, A Philly Special Christmas Party on vinyl and CD, and greeting cards are all available for purchase via the official website.
“When we released the first album, A Philly Special Christmas, we had no idea how impactful it would be – for both the organizations we supported and the joy we were able to spread throughout the city. Last year our efforts culminated with a citywide initiative that provided a gift for every student in the School District of Philadelphia,” says Vera Y Records and Operation Snowball executive producer Connor Barwin. “We are excited to continue the tradition of giving and fun with new surprises for a fourth holiday season this year."
“Making music with my friends and donating to organizations committed to making the lives of Philadelphia families and students brighter during the holidays has been a highlight of the past three years," says Jordan Mailata. “We are looking forward to bringing the joy back again this year with proceeds from the new plushies, and a few other surprises.”
Operation Snowball, launched in 2024 as an ambitious city-wide initiative delivering holiday gifts to every student in the Philadelphia public and charter school system (more than 200,000 children and teachers were recipients). On December 17, 2024, Jason, Lane, and Jordan visited three schools to give high fives, lead sing-alongs, and hand-deliver gifts to students including the Junior ROTC and Honor Roll students at Ben Franklin High School. The event kicked off at Eliza B. Kirkbride School, continued on to Ben Franklin HS, and ended at Alliance for Progress Charter School with an unforgettable day filled with fun and the joy of the holiday season.
