The Philly Specials Selling Plush Doll 3-Pack For A Good Cause

PHILADELPHIA — Well, the Philly Specials aren't releasing new music for a good cause, but they are releasing new merchandise for a good cause.

Former Eagle Jason Kelce, and current Eagles linemen Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, are once again looking to give presents to local kids through their annual charitable initiative, Operation Snowball.

And to do so in 2025, the trio are selling a collectible set of plushies in the likeness of the players dressed in festive midnight green sweaters embroidered with their names and numbers. Sized between 8.5 and 9.25 inches, the three-pack of collectible plushies are made for anyone 3 and older.

The Philly Specials teamed up with Just Play to create "The Holiday Huddle."

Pre-orders for The Holiday Huddle are open now online here. Orders ship the week of Thanksgiving on November 24.

In the tradition established in 2022, proceeds from the annual initiative will be donated to various local non-profits.

Operation Snowball inspires the spirit of giving and surprises charities and organizations by bringing joy to Philadelphia families and students during the holidays.

In addition to the plushies, A Philly Special Box Set of all three albums on vinyl and CD, A Philly Special Christmas Party on vinyl and CD, and greeting cards are all available for purchase online.

And more surprises from The Philly Specials and Operation Snowball are planned for the holiday season

"When we released the first album, A Philly Special Christmas, we had no idea how impactful it would be – for both the organizations we supported and the joy we were able to spread throughout the city. Last year our efforts culminated with a citywide initiative that provided a gift for every student in the School District of Philadelphia," Vera Y Records and Operation Snowball executive producer Connor Barwin said. "We are excited to continue the tradition of giving and fun with new surprises for a fourth holiday season this year."

"Making music with my friends and donating to organizations committed to making the lives of Philadelphia families and students brighter during the holidays has been a highlight of the past three years," Mailata said. "We are looking forward to bringing the joy back again this year with proceeds from the new plushies, and a few other surprises."

Operation Snowball, launched in 2024 as an ambitious city-wide initiative delivering holiday gifts to every student in the Philadelphia public and charter school system (more than 200,000 children and teachers were recipients). On Dec. 17, 2024, Kelce, Johnson, and Mailata visited three schools to give high-fives, lead sing alongs, and hand-deliver gifts to students including the Junior ROTC and Honor Roll students at Ben Franklin High School.

The event kicked off at Eliza B. Kirkbride School, continued on to Ben Franklin HS, and ended at Alliance for Progress Charter School with an unforgettable day filled with fun and the joy of the holiday season.

"A Philly Special Christmas," "A Philly Special Christmas Special," and "A Philly Special Christmas Party" raised $10 million for local charities including Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and fulfilled the wish lists of Philadelphia School District teachers via Donors Choose.

The albums reached top ten spots on various Billboard Music Charts including debuting at No. 1 on their Independent Charts, Compilations Charts, and No. 2 on the Holiday Charts, singles "Maybe This Christmas" and "Santa Drives an Astrovan" reached No. 1 on the iTunes Holiday Charts, the albums featured performances from Stevie Nicks, Jon Bon Jovi, Patti LaBelle, Boyz II Men, Mt. Joy, Travis Kelce, Kylie Kelce, members of The Hooters, members of The War on Drugs (including album producer Charlie Hall), members of Dr. Dog, Marshall Allen and members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lady Alma and more.

Singles "This Christmas," "All I Want for Christmas is You," "Fairytale of Philadelphia," and "Pretty Paper," have garnered more than 10 million streams across platforms. "Fairytale of Philadelphia" reached No. 1 on iTunes, 50,000 copies have been sold on vinyl and the stop-motion special created by unPOP Animation, "A Philly Special Christmas Special," has been viewed more than 780,000 times.