MISHAWAKA, Ind. (WNDU) – Christmas may be next week, but Santa came a little early for some local kids.

Dick’s Sporting Goods teamed up with Notre Dame student athletes for a surprise shopping spree on Wednesday.

Fifteen girls from the Boys and Girls club were paired up with a different female Notre Dame athlete. Dick’s Sporting Goods gave each girl $200 to spend on anything they wanted in the store.

“I feel like I was just in their shoes, I remember very well wanting to be a college athlete and wanting to hang out with them,” said Notre Dame softball player Shannon Becker. “So, being able to now be that and give back to them and share a special time with them is really special.”

Finals are underway at Notre Dame, so it’s a busy week for the students. But that didn’t stop these student athletes from giving back.

“It’s such a busy time of the year,” said Kathryn Glick, program director for Student Athlete Services at Notre Dame. “And our athletes, a lot of them are far from home. So, they really love to give back to their local family, their local community.”

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