Sissons, Watson, Bitetto Host Holiday Party at Bridgestone Arena

There was excitement to rival that of Christmas morning at Bridgestone Arena last week.
Families from the West Nashville Dream Center filled the Lexus Lounge with energy and joy, while Predators players Anthony Bitetto, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons made sure the lounge was full of gifts for everyone to take home.
For the second year in a row Bitetto, Watson and Sissons partnered with the Predators Foundation and Walmart to host the Preds Holiday Party.

"It's just such a blessing for all the families," Kids and Strategic Partnership Director Katie Kines said. "Anything where we can do something that's Christmas related, and also bless them with something that could offset some of their financial strain is the goal."
The kids, some of whom had never been on ice before, got the chance to skate with the players. Empty trash cans were brought out on the ice and flipped upside down for the less-confident skaters to balance, but before long, the players had the smaller children sitting on receptacles to push them around the rink.
Four-year-old Janya was brave enough to get on the ice with the help of Sissons. Eventually, he scooped her up by the arms and they flew around the rink with ease. When she was done on the ice, she chose a Predators intern to give her piggy-back rides to the rest of the activities.
Sissons said there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to be a part of the holiday party again after last year. He said his favorite part is watching the children tear open their presents, considering that is still his favorite part of Christmas.
"It's just a really nice thing to do especially around Christmastime," Sissons said, "Austin, Tony and I had a great time last year, and it went really well."

After the children were brought in from the ice for dinner, the only thing on their minds were presents. They ran around buzzing with excitement asking everyone, including GNASH, when it would be time to tear into the packages.
One young man ran up to Sissons, who was halfway through a brownie, and asked when they were doing presents. Within seconds Sissons, Watson and Bitetto were leading the charge to the piles of gifts in the back of the room.
"You see the presents and the kids and the smiles and that's really what it's about," Watson said. "It's an incredible thing for the Foundation and for us as players to be able to give back to the community."
One of the Dream Center parents, Natasha, had kept the event a secret from her children until they arrived at the arena. Her 13-year-old son, Greg, received a bike as one of his gifts, and it wasn't long before GNASH began to ride it around, with the children in tow.
"It didn't hit them until we actually got in here, and they just ran and gave me a hug saying, 'Thank you, Momma, thank you!'" Natasha said. "This is just the best."