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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his wife Marissa are giving backThe couple hosted Operation Sunshine Christmas, a two-hour celebration for 50 children from military families, on Monday, Dec. 8″We’ve been trying to get involved and give back to the community, and Jacksonville is such a military city,” Trevor tells PEOPLE

With the Jacksonville Jaguars in first place and pushing toward the playoffs, quarterback Trevor Lawrence could have easily spent his limited downtime resting. Instead, the former No. 1 overall draft pick devoted his Monday to bringing holiday cheer to some of Jacksonville’s most resilient children.

On Dec. 8, Trevor and his wife, Marissa, hosted Operation Sunshine Christmas, a two-hour celebration for 50 children from military families in the Jacksonville, Fla., area. The event, held at Naval Station Mayport — which anchors Jacksonville’s identity as a military hub — was hosted in partnership with the USO.

“We’ve been trying to get involved and give back to the community, and Jacksonville is such a military city,” Trevor tells PEOPLE.

The event was named for Trevor’s “Sunshine” nickname, a nod to his resemblance to the quarterback in Remember the Titans, and the bright vibe lived up to it. Jaguars mascot Jaxon de Ville kept the room buzzing with “Simon Says,” dance-offs and goofy antics, but the biggest moment came when the children were led into a room filled wall-to-wall with wrapped gifts.

Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville.

Chad Cushing, for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Marissa, a former soccer player at Anderson University, tells PEOPLE: “Our goal was to make them feel celebrated and special, and to give them time during the holidays to just have fun and take their minds off the challenges they face.”

“It definitely went above our expectations,” she adds.

Events like this matter, the Lawrences say, because military life brings a unique set of pressures for kids — from parents deploying to constant relocations. A 2024 study in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found military youth were far more likely than their peers to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The National Military Family Association reports that 35% of teens in military families struggle with low mental well-being.

Trevor says the reality hit him during the event. “One of the kids was carrying around a pillow with a picture of his dad in uniform,” he says. “It makes you realize what these families go through and gives you an appreciation of the sacrifices being made.”

Trevor and Marissa Lawrence, with daughter Shea.

Marissa Lawrence/Instagram

The Lawrences were joined by Jaguars teammates Rob Hainsey and his wife Marielle Corbett, Walker Little and his wife Caroline, and quarterback Carter Bradley, all pitching in to help with games and gift distribution.

With ages ranging from young children to teens, Trevor says they tried to keep the activities fun but not “too kiddy” — and still engaging for everyone.

Trevor Lawrence.

Logan Bowles/Getty

Trevor — a national champion during his Clemson days and now a first-time dad to 11-month-old daughter Shea — says the event offered perspective amid the long hours of the NFL season. “There are times when the hours are crazy — there are times I wish I could see Shea more,” he says. “But then you think about what these families are going through, and it gives you perspective.”

By night’s end, the goal had been met.

“All of the kids were just dancing and having a blast,” Trevor says.