A Philly Special Christmas Special, the upcoming second holiday album from Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata, along with producer Charlie Hall and executive producer Connor Barwin via Vera Y Records, announce that Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will receive proceeds from this year’s release. Both organizations will use their donations to provide gifts for their communities during the holiday season. CCTC will support their annual Holiday Toy Drive where children receive a gift of their choosing and CHOP will support their Snowflake Station, a pop-up toy store where caregivers can “shop” for gifts for their children at no cost.
“When all the guys got together over the summer to make this record, they wanted to make sure we stayed true to the original goal to bring joy and happiness to families and kids during the holidays, and we couldn't be happier to be partnering again with CCTC and helping make CHOP's snowflake station a little more special for kids and families in the hospital during the holidays," says Barwin.
“We are thrilled and so grateful to be partnering with Connor, Jason, Lane and Jordan again this year for the A Philly Special Christmas Special album,” says Antonio Valdés, Chief Executive Officer at CCTC. “The funding from the album allows us to provide over 1,000 children with holiday gifts of their choosing. Unfortunately, the holidays can be a difficult time for many of Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s children and families and the Toy Drive helps to bring joy to the children we serve throughout the Philadelphia region. The Toy Drive and our partnership with the Eagles players communicates to the children the powerful message that there is a community of people who truly care about their well-being. This certainly is a big component of creating positive experiences for the children and their families to begin healing together.”
Additionally, support from the album will allow CHOP to expand its popular Snowflake Station, a pop-up toy store where caregivers can shop for gifts for their children at no cost during the holiday season. The funding will also make it possible for CHOP to expand Snowflake Station to a Primary Care practice in West Philadelphia. Snowflake Station is one of the signature holiday events offered by CHOP’s Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department, a team that provides evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate care, including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety and pain and create moments of normalcy for children and their families.
“As a parent, I can attest to the fact that CHOP is one of Philadelphia's true treasures. We are so fortunate to live a stone's throw from one of the nation's truly great children’s hospitals. We could not be happier to support their efforts this holiday season," says Hall.
“Spending time in the hospital or visiting a doctor’s office can be very stressful for children – especially during the holidays,” says Kisha Hortman Hawthorne, PhD, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the CHOP Care Network. “The support we will receive from the holiday album will help us create moments of joy and connection for our patients and families during the holidays. Snowflake Station is one of our favorite holiday events and we are very grateful for the support to expand the programs and make the holidays as special as they can be for children and their caregivers.”
A Philly Special Christmas Special was recorded during the NFL off season and is comprised of ten holiday classics and Jason Kelce’s original song, ‘Santa’s Night.’ A limited-edition version of A Philly Special Christmas Special will be released on red vinyl. A double disc of the new LP and 2022’s A Philly Special Christmas will be released on limited edition gold vinyl as well as the album’s digital release and availability on all streaming services. Vinyl will be available for pre-order on November 3rd via Phillyspecialchristmas.com and the entire album will be available digitally on December 1st.
Recorded and mixed once again by Nick Krill, Kelce, Johnson and Mailata called upon local musicians including Patti Labelle, Amos Lee, The Hooters’ Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, DMHotep (Sun Ra Arkestra), Kevin Hanson (The Fractals, Huffamoose), Luke Carlos O’Reilly, Waxahatchee, members of The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog, Mewithoutyou, and The Silver Ages Choir amongst others to truly make this a Philly special.
A Philly Special Christmas was released on December 23, 2022 digitally and its limited pressing on vinyl sold out immediately. The record reached four top ten spots on various Billboard Music Charts including #1 on the Compilation Albums Chart. A Philly Special Christmas donated over $1.25M to local charities including Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and fulfilled the wish lists of Philadelphia School District teachers via Donors Choose.
Find A Philly Special Christmas Special Online:
Official: http://phillyspecialchristmas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aphillyspecialchristmas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aphillyspecialchristmas
