There was a special feeling that took over Acrisure Stadium on Tuesday night when the Steelers hosted their sixth annual Huddle for the Holidays to bring joy, love and hope to others.

Holiday magic and the giving spirit filled the air as everyone enjoyed the fun, festive, one-of-a-kind outreach that provides the simple pleasures in life, as well as some of the basic necessities for the holidays for kids and families from local organizations.

"Just to see the smiles is amazing," said defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, the Steelers 2024 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. "The holiday cheer and what the Steelers do as an organization to bring these families and kids around is amazing. A lot of smiles, a lot of fun. I love it.

"We have an obligation to be a light for people. This is bigger than us."

Among the organizations taking part in the event this year were Amachi Pittsburgh, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Center for Life, Clairton Youth Development, Homeless Children's Education Fund, Homewood Children's Village, Hope for Tomorrow Inc., LaRosa Youth Club, Latino Community Center, MPACT and Robin's Home.

"Huddle for the Holidays means so much to an organization like ours," said Jim Barry, who runs the LaRosa Youth Club in McKeesport. "It allows a first-class experience. It provides opportunities for underserved kids, the youth, to take in the holiday season. This is an event the kids and staff look forward to each year. The youth get to meet a ton of positive role models such as players, coaches, Steelers staff and community volunteers.

"It's just a really cool experience for the kids. They take care of feeding them, activities, everything. There is a lot of stuff our kids don't get to experience. So, it's really neat to see and experience with them.

"It's so heartwarming, honestly. It's hard to explain. But the best way I can explain it is when you see kids experiencing joy, especially around the holidays and really feeling the holiday spirit, and how much they appreciate what they're receiving and what they're getting. It just makes you so happy to be a part of such a wonderful event."

A holiday wonderland welcomed the guests, and it was Steelers players and staff lending a hand at an array of different stations, interacting and spreading joy to all of the kids.

"It's awesome to be here with the kids," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "There is nothing better than giving. It's always better to give than to receive.

"I remember growing up as a kid, getting toys on Christmas morning. There was no better feeling."

Huddle for the Holidays, which was started by former Steelers tight end Vance McDonald and Convoy of Hope, has grown through the years into an opportunity for the entire Steelers organization to give back during the holiday season.

"It's crazy that it's our sixth year," said Blayre Holmes-Davis, the Steelers senior director of community relations. "To see what this event not only means to the organization, but the players also look forward to it every year. Before the season even started, they were asking me if we were doing the huddle event again. It means a lot to know that not only does our community look forward to it, but our players look forward to it as well too.

"It's hard for me to put into words the impact that it's been able to make, and also just the time that our players are able to take out just to spend time with folks in the community who need support during the holiday season and let them know they are there for them. They see them as individuals and they're there to give back.

"And I love that it's not only our players who are able to volunteer, but our front office staff are able to be there as well. While we're not always able to be together at events, this one, which always hits toward the end of our regular season, is a great opportunity to do just that. This is what we're all about, getting together as a team and being of service.

"It's a really great time for us as an entire team to take a moment to prioritize our community and to just show them we're going to continue to show up on a regular basis."

The event is one that is all inclusive, with something for everyone, from kids to parents. Included in the event were winter coats sponsored by RSM, health and wellness items and guidance from UPMC and American Heart Association, and Giant Eagle gift cards for grocery needs.

"The holiday season is really important to us, and we love to celebrate, but we also recognize that this is not always a time of celebration," said Holmes-Davis. "There are still families out there that are struggling to put food on the table, to give their kids gifts and opportunities. It's an opportunity for us to give back and to support them."

There were activities such as art & crafts, a photo booth, letters to Santa, corn hole games, haircuts and even a pampering manicure.

"Just being able to give back to the community is special," said defensive back Beanie Bishop. "For those who might not be able to have Christmas on their own, this is special. I kind of know what it feels like to have to depend on other people and maybe not have stuff for Christmas. There were years where we didn't have as much as we would like, or get the gifts that we wanted, but we got what we needed, coats and things like that.

"For the kids to be able to see me and the other players and give them the hope that they could be here one day too."

There was hope, as guests were treated in a warm and welcoming manner.

"While we're all busy in the hustle and bustle of we've got a game this week, we've got to prep for this and that," said Holmes-Davis. "This helps us to just stop and recognize the impact that we're making. When we see that one kid that was looking forward to seeing Cam Heyward or T.J. Watt or Russell Wilson and they're able to see them face to face and spend some time with them, that can make their whole day, their whole entire year. And it really puts into perspective the bigger picture."

The desire to give back spread over to multiple players foundations as well, with Cameron Heyward's Heyward House providing hygiene kits once again and Christian Kuntz Kuntz4Ki6s Foundation partnering with Pittsburgh's Toys for Tykes for toy giveaways for the kids.

"Being able to help out and do this is everything, especially being from here and being able to give back in a community that I grew up in," said Kuntz. "It is special and important to me and my family. I know how big of a platform everyone in this locker room has and the Pittsburgh Steelers organization has. It's an honor to do it."

Russell Wilson's Why Not You Foundation provided warm outwear, including hats, gloves and scarves for all, something that comes in handy and necessary during the cold winter months.

"Being able to be a part of events like Huddle for the Holidays is incredible," said Janelle Hahn, executive director of Why Not You Foundation. "Pittsburgh has welcomed Russell and the Wilson family with huge open arms. We love that we can give back to Pittsburgh and to kids and families in need.

"This is an absolute fill your heart moment."

The organizations served during Huddle for the Holiday encompass an array of groups, but the one thing that ties them all together is a genuine need that exists today for a holiday lift.

"Something like this is spectacular because the people we serve don't normally get to do things like this," said Karen Triscas, a Navy Veteran and Certified Peer Specialist at Robin's Home, as well as a product of Robin's Home program. "For them to come to the Steelers stadium, that in itself is amazing. We serve a lot of homeless veterans. For them to come here is incredible. It's the experience. The residential house we have, the women and children that stay there, this is awe inspiring for them. This is something immaculate for them to experience. It's so important and so festive."

While seeing the players and getting toys, a warm coat and a hot meal was special, having the opportunity to visit with Santa might have topped that for some wide-eyed kids.

"Especially in the community my organization serves in McKeesport, a lot of our kids depend on events like this because a lot of our parents either don't have opportunities or aren't in a position to buy Christmas gifts," said Barry. "Getting a gift, and coats and gloves, is so impactful in their lives. Getting stuff like that is immeasurable how it can affect our kids' lives.

"It's a really special event. It means so much because it's not something that has to be done. Everyone's busy around the holidays. And these people take the time away from their families to really change the lives of under-served kids who really can benefit and really appreciate what they're getting.

"The kids were bouncing off the walls when we were loading up the bus to come here. It's a lot of fun, for a staff member as well because you share in that enjoyment that the kids are having and that they're awesome."