Aaron Jones buys bikes for students at East Point Elementary

Former UTEP star turned Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones isn’t Santa Claus. But he’s pretty close.

After all, he lives in a frigid climate just like Santa, and this year, he brought cheer to some very good boys and girls.

Jones donated nearly two dozen bikes to children at East Point Elementary Friday.

He donated the bikes as part of the East Point Angels program, which enables community members to provide gifts for kids at the school during the holidays. Often, the parents of those children are unable to afford gifts this time of year.

Dana Boyd, the principal at East Point, is a friend of the Jones family. In fact, she even goes to church with them. And Aaron Jones, always looking to help those in need, knew he had the means to help children at Boyd’s school.

“It just sent chills up my body because that’s what we’re here for,” said Boyd. “That’s what Christmas is about. It’s about giving from the heart. And we know that some of these kids don’t have the opportunity to be able to have that.”

Jones recalled that a bike was one of his favorite gifts growing up. And it was a pretty safe bet the students at East Point would like them, too.

“I remember getting a bike. I remember getting a motorized scooter. All of that. So, any time you get wheels, it’s definitely fun,” said Jones in a phone interview with KVIA.

Jones delivered a video message to the students just before they were led to the gym to retrieve their presents.

But the students didn’t just get to take a look at their bikes Friday afternoon. They got a chance to test them out in the school’s gym – certainly an early Christmas gift to remember.

“I’m just glad that I could make some kids’ Christmases and just make their day and have a positive effect on them,” said Jones.