2 great stories...one on D-wade, the other on Rajon Rondo...class acts

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Rajon Rondo spreads some holiday cheer:

BOSTON -- A child's smile is one of the most powerful images of the holiday season.

Now, think about the power that 32 children smiling all together can bring and you will get a sense of what the entire Macy's store at the Natick Mall in Natick, Mass., felt on Thursday after Celtics teammates Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen delivered an early Christmas present: a shopping spree at the department store, where the 32 kids from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children after-school program, ranging in ages from 5 to 12, were able to pick out any two outfits.

Under one condition: They had to let Rondo and Allen be their "personal fashion guides."

Read the rest of Patrick Parker's story on Rondo's shopping spree with the MSPCC kids go here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?page=rondoholiday-081219

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Wade helps family displaced by fire

MIAMI -- When Dwyane Wade heard the plight of a South Florida woman whose nephew accidentally burned down her home -- and ruined all the family's possessions -- the Miami Heat star knew he had to do something.

So he helped the family move into a new home, just in time for Christmas.

Wade presented Dawn Smith with the ultimate Christmas gift on Wednesday -- the keys to a her new house, along with some furnishings, clothing and gifts to make sure her family has a joyous holiday, something that didn't seem likely just a few weeks ago.

His Wade's World foundation will make some payments on the home, while Smith and her family get back on their feet.

"That's what I try to teach my kids," said Wade, whose foundation has hosted several charity events this holiday season, mostly for needy children. "It's not about what you're going to receive -- it's what you can give to others from what you've received."

Smith couldn't hold back happy sobs when she saw the home for the first time.

"A big-time relief," Smith said, clearly overcome by emotion. "Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Oh, God, thank you so much."

The NBA's leading scorer this season had a simple message: "Hopefully, you'll like it."

Wade's other holiday events this year included a party for 350 children on Monday, and hosting 100 kids at Tuesday night's Heat game against the Golden State Warriors. He also donated $10,000 to each of three children's organizations, but said he was particularly touched by being able to assist the Smith family.

"We can help this family have a new beginning," Wade said.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press