D-backs, A New Leaf Holiday Shopping Spree

On December 17, the aisles of a Super Target in the Valley looked a little different than usual. Teenagers walked alongside Arizona Diamondbacks players, comparing prices, double-checking budgets, and talking through what would matter most to the people waiting for them at home.

For the forty children and teens served by A New Leaf that afternoon, the shopping trip was simple and meaningful. Each was paired with a Diamondbacks “personal shopping assistant” — outfielder Corbin Carroll, pitchers Ryan Thompson, Brandyn Garcia, and Andrew Saalfrank, infielder Jordan Lawlar, along with former players and team staff — and given the chance to shop for holiday gifts and essentials.

A New Leaf and the Arizona Diamondbacks each contributed toward the experience, providing every participant with $250 to use however they chose. Some headed straight for winter clothing and household basics. Others spent time deciding on gifts for parents, siblings, or caregivers. When shopping was finished, players and teens sat together at wrapping stations, folding paper and taping boxes before loading carts one last time.

Representing A New Leaf was Chief Philanthropy Officer Laura Bode, who joined staff, volunteers, and players as they moved through the store, talking with kids and watching the conversations unfold. For Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson, the day left a lasting impression.

“The D-backs just do it right,” Thompson said. “They do things that spiritually lift us up. When they asked me to do this, I knew it was going to be a home run. It was an easy ‘yes.’” Thompson was paired with a teenager whose priorities stood out almost immediately.

“When I was 15, I bought a bunch of movies, headphones, and who knows what,” Thompson said with a laugh. “But he said, ‘I want to make sure I take care of my mom and my girlfriend. I want to get them presents.’ That just melted my heart.”

The moment stayed with Thompson, in part because it reflected something he’s come to understand about visibility, responsibility, and perspective. When he was younger, Thompson remembered wanting to be close to famous people. Autographs felt important. Being recognized felt special.

“Then you become one of those people,” he said, “and it hits you: everyone’s just a human being. I’m just a broken human being like you are. People watch me on TV, but it doesn’t mean I’m anything special. I’m just a person.” That approach shaped how he showed up that day, not as a professional athlete, but as someone walking next to a teenager making careful choices with a limited budget.

A Touching Experience of Holiday Joy

Jordan Lawlar returned to the Valley specifically to take part in the shopping spree. After spending part of his offseason playing baseball in the Dominican Republic, he said he wanted to be there again after his first experience. “My first experience was so good,” Lawlar said. His shopping partner focused on gifts for his mom, choosing perfume and other personal items. “That just touched me, and I wanted to serve.”

For Andrew Saalfrank, it was his first year participating. His shopping partner was quiet at first, so Saalfrank filled the silence with questions. “I think he thought I was annoying,” Saalfrank said with a laugh. But the questions helped break the ice, and by the end of the afternoon, the two were moving easily through the store together.

Corbin Carroll described the shopping spree as one of the highlights of the Diamondbacks’ offseason community work. “Getting out here and seeing these young kids and young adults think beyond themselves and shop for their families,” Carroll said, “it’s something special to see.”

Throughout the day, conversations naturally drifted between gift ideas and life outside the store. Players talked about offseason training, travel, and the upcoming season. Teens talked about school, family, and plans for the holidays. None of it felt staged. It felt like people meeting each other where they were.

At A New Leaf, moments like these reflect the heart of the organization’s mission: Helping Families. Changing Lives. For families facing homelessness, domestic violence, and other challenges, the holidays can bring added stress and uncertainty. This shopping spree offered something practical — resources, choice, and support — without asking families to sacrifice dignity.

Saalfrank, who has participated in several Diamondbacks charity events, said the team’s culture off the field matters just as much as what happens on it. “I’m a big karma guy,” he said. “If you do the right things in life, a lot of times things come back to you. We have a really good group of guys.”

A New Leaf is grateful to the Arizona Diamondbacks and D-backs Give Back for continuing to show up for the community, not just in big moments, but in ordinary places where care, respect, and attention make a real difference. Because sometimes, changing a life starts with walking through a store together and taking the time to listen.