By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Wide receiver Hines Ward was named the Steelers Walter Payton Man of the Year partially due to his chartable efforts and he recently showed why he was so worthy of the honor.

Ward hosted eight kids from South Korea in Pittsburgh and made sure that their visit was a memorable one. The activities included watching the team practice, attending the Steelers-Jaguars game, visiting the Carnegie Museum and Heinz History Center and having dinner twice with Ward.

Ward, who was born in Korea to a Korean mom and African American father, hosted the bi-racial kids through the Hines Ward Helping Hands Korea Foundation and Pearl S. Buck International. Kids in Korea are often discriminated against if they are bi-racial and Ward is doing everything in his power to change that and bring happiness to those kids.

"During the Christmas holidays, it's something to be very thankful about, for me to give back to the kids," said Ward. "This is the greatest Christmas present I could ever receive.”

The kids, who ranged from eight to 16, had to write an essay about pursing their dreams and the winners were selected by Ward.

"It's a great feeling to bring these kids all the way from Seoul, South Korea, and really give them the chance to not give up on their hopes and dreams, and see how different America is and that they can have a positive future in their lives," said Ward. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s a bigger picture than just football. To be able to bring a smile to these kids' faces and have an impact on their lives. 

“Hopefully these kids can leave here and go back to Korea with a sense of inspiration, a sense of confidence, that they can go out and be positive citizens.”

The kids stayed with host families who have adopted Korean children in the past or are in the process of doing so through the Welcome House Adoption Program.