Children living in Dallas homeless shelter celebrate Christmas with Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs

DALLAS — Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs Thursday hosted a Christmas party for dozens of children living at the Dallas Life Homeless Recovery Center. 

Diggs and a team of volunteers bought gifts for the children, rented inflatables and decorations and organized the celebration. 

Most of the children’s parents are enrolled in the shelter’s 10-month “Homeless No More” program, designed to equip people experiencing homelessness with the tools to find a job and housing. 

“There are kids out here in need, looking for some way to have a good holiday,” Diggs told WFAA. “I decided this year I’m going to take the initiative and do that: be there for them and make sure they have a good Christmas.”

Diggs signed autographs, took photographs and mingled with attendees. Artists painted children’s faces, and a barber offered free haircuts. 

Volunteers helped set up and staff cookie-decorating stations. Santa also heard children’s wishes and took photographs with their families. 

“Christmas is not always a happy time of year when you’re homeless,” Dallas Life Development Director Gracie Loveridge said. “It means a lot to them to have that something special. They’re going to remember it forever.”

Diggs said he hopes to make this event a Christmas tradition by returning each year to host a similar party. 

“Out of everything – all my success and accomplishments – I feel like this is the most important piece of it,” Diggs said. “Seeing them happy and seeing them smile is the best thing.”