Scott Cooper Williams

Press-Gazette Media

Josh Sitton is accustomed to playing football, but he also does a pretty good job playing Santa Claus.

The Green Bay Packers player treated about 70 children Tuesday to holiday shopping sprees at a department store on the city's east side.

"I get to be Santa Claus for a night," the Packers offensive lineman said as he greeted children from the Brown County PALS program.

Sitton, who was accompanied by his fiancee, Kristen Hewitt, said he enjoyed meeting the kids and helping to make some of their holiday wishes come true at Kohl's department store at East Town Mall.

"It's a great event," he said. "It's definitely very rewarding."

Sitton began the "Shop With Josh" program three years ago to benefit children in the PALS program, which pairs disadvantaged kids with volunteer adult mentors.

Shannon Maanum, a mentor in the program, said she was impressed to see a member of the Packers volunteering in the community and being so generous to local children.

"It's a lot of fun," Maanum said.

About 70 boys and girls, most aged 12 and under, took part in the event, which also included pizza at a restaurant with Sitton before the shopping spree.

Glen Tilot, coordinator of the PALS program through the Brown County Human Services Department, said the program was a success and brightened the holidays for all the kids.

"We have a lot of happy children," he said.

— swilliams@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @pgscottwilliams