A Philly Special Christmas Party hits number one on Billboard charts

In November 2024, a musical collaboration known as A Philly Special Christmas Party released their third album. The album, featuring Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata from the Philadelphia Eagles, topped the Billboard Independent Charts following its debut. The release date was significant for local charities, as the profits from the album sales were earmarked for several philanthropic efforts in Philadelphia, including the Children's Crisis Treatment Center's Holiday Toy Drive and The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. These initiatives aimed to provide holiday gifts to students in the Philadelphia public schooling system. This year's album also featured contributions from well-known artists, enhancing its appeal. Iconic singer Stevie Nicks collaborated on the track 'Maybe this Christmas', while the R&B group Boyz II Men and NFL player Travis Kelce joined in on 'It's Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights)'. Furthermore, the Philadelphia band Mt. Joy contributed to the song 'Santa Drives an Astrovan', creating a strong sense of local culture and community. The album successfully debuted not only at the top of the Independent Charts but also secured notable positions on the Holiday Albums chart and the Vinyl Chart. This impressive performance illustrates a growing trend where sports figures transition into music, engaging their fan base further through creative endeavors. More importantly, the profits generated from the sales are directed towards assisting vulnerable populations in Philadelphia, reflecting a commitment to community welfare. In their previous two Christmas album releases, the Philly Specials had already made significant contributions by raising over $4 million for local charities. The goal for this year's project was to ensure that every student in the public school system received a gift, aligning with the goals of Operation Snowball. By Nov. 26, they were halfway to achieving their objective, indicating strong positive community engagement and support for the projects funded by the album sales.