MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Marquette Golden Eagles are getting into the holiday spirit.

On Sunday morning, Dec. 7, student athletes teamed up to take 60 kids from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School on a shopping spree for Christmas. 

"He likes to shop for a lot of spiderman stuff. We got to look at some toys, the clothes, it was super fun," said CJ Meehan, Marquette University lacrosse player.

This year marks the fifth time Marquette athletics has hosted the event.

"It's a lot of fun, the best part is the kids," said Shaka Smart, Marquette University head basketball coach.

However, with no sponsor this year, the students and staff funded the $200 gift cards for each kid. 

"I think it's a little more meaningful it feels like closer to the heart when you get to sponsor it yourself and help them out," said Meehan.

This is Meehan's first time participating in the event. She says it was fun shopping with 4-year-old Kingston, as they made their rounds down each aisle.

"I think it's just so important to give back and I think it's meaningful to see how happy they are about all the gifts," said Meehan.

Coach Smart says it's fun for the kids but a good reminder for his athletes.

"It's very, very, easy to get into your own little bubble particularly when you're college age but the reality is there's a lot going on outside of the Marquette bubble. There's a lot going on outside basketball. These kids have lives, their families have lives so if we can uplift them while we are shopping that's a really positive thing," said Smart.

As the Golden Eagles handle check out, they say their hope is this experience will help give the kids they shopped for a brighter holiday season.