Players, Teams Try to Help Charities

It's a busy time of year for sports teams--especially those in the middle of a season or playoff hunt.

Fulfilling charity requests around Christmas time is a difficult job and the answer is not always 'yes'. As the demand for sports memorabilia grows, groups looking to raise money cross their fingers and hope to add a special piece to their auction or get something to cheer up a special person.

According to the Journal-News, teams work with their players to keep things moving smoothly. "We have a team signing day once a year," said Jesse Linder, director of community relations for the New York Jets. "For the high-profile players, we'll have them sign three or four times a year."