Eli Manning throws one more touchdown at North Jersey fundraiser for kids cancer research

Hundreds of kids and their parents flocked on Friday for a chance to hang out with a trio of former New York Giants — including the legendary Eli Manning and Jersey-bred Shaun O’Hara — who partnered with Secaucus-based retailer The Children’s Place for an afternoon of games, giveaways and giving back at the Superdome Sports center in Waldwick.

The event, part of the retailer’s spring campaign, took advantage of the fast-approaching Easter holiday with bunny-themed photo props and an Easter egg hunt with gift certificates to The Children’s Place. Manning and O’Hara were dubbed the “Egg Hunting Squad.”

“Family and, of course, children are at the heart of everything that we do,” Maegan Markee, senior vice president of marketing for The Children’s Place, told the crowd, “so being able to be here today in this awesome superdome is everything to us.”

The afternoon included several football activities, such as throwing and tackling. There was also cornhole and a station where kids could get free stadium snacks.

But the event was about more than an afternoon of games. Manning said that prior to arriving at the Superdome, he visited patients at the nearby Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. The children were given toys, pajamas and a variety of gifts “to lift their spirits,” Manning said.

“It’s also special to be here with my former teammate and one of my great friends,” he added, referring to O’Hara. Former Giant Justin Tuck was also scheduled to appear at the hours-long event.

For O’Hara, who grew up in Hillsborough and is a Rutgers alumnus, being part of an event that gives back to his own community was special. Throughout the afternoon, he greeted children and their parents, stopping to take photos with as many people as he could. He often ran into people he knew personally.

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“This is kind of in my backyard,” O’Hara said. “I’ve got some kids [here] that I coached with in flag football, in real football, some of my son’s friends, and some of my friends from around the town. It’s pretty cool when you can kind of see it, [and] give back to a place that is close to your home.”

Children and their parents had the opportunity to get face time with Manning and the other NFL stars.

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Maria Stone of Ridgewood was there with her self-described “football family” of Steelers fans, who are regulars at the Superdome. It’s how they heard about the event, and they were lucky to snag hard-to-get tickets.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Stone said, as she waited for a chance to meet Manning. “I think it’s a pretty exciting moment that everyone gets to hang out and get close up and personal with him – hopefully.”

In that moment, Manning, who had been heading toward Stone and her family, was re-directed to another area inside the Superdome.

But the family was patient. They had their chance about an hour later, and 10-year-old Amelia Stine was able to get a few throws in with Manning.

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For every successful throw made through the target in that station, The Children’s Place said it would donate $5 to Tackle Kids Cancer, a philanthropic initiative to raise money for pediatric cancer research and patient care programs at the Sanzari Children's Hospital and Hovnanian Children's Hospital.

It should go without saying, but Manning made several.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Eli Manning appears for The Children's Place cancer research event