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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – It’s that time of year again when our very own Christmas Elf Kenny Lopez goes around town giving out cheer for the holidays.  Today starts “Kenny’s 12 Days of Giving” for the 2016 Holiday season.

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On Day One, Kenny heads to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas to surprise a woman and her family with the gift of family time.  Tammy McCormick Broussard, her husband, Jarrod, and their daughter, Isabelle, were treated to a VIP Backstage Penguin Pass.

Kenny felt Tammy deserved the VIP treatment because she’s currently fighting cancer.   But that’s not all, Kenny also surprised other families waiting in line with free tickets.

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“The Aquarium is a wonderful place to spend quality family time together, and we are so happy to have Tammy and her family here today,” Tom Dyer with the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas said.

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Tammy works hard to help others going through cancer with You Night Empowering Events, which helps those fighting cancer with a six-month program and a runway show where they can strut their strength in front of their families, doctors, nurses and friends.

Tammy helps the women learn how to be a fashion model for the big You Night Runway shows.  Her friends at You Night found out that Tammy was going to be part of “Kenny’s 12 Days of Giving” and wanted to help get her jewelry.

So Kendra Scott jewelry got in on the giving spirit and donated a bracelet for Tammy and a necklace for Isabelle, so they would be all glitzy for the penguins!  It really was a day for Tammy to be pampered and to forget about her worries and just enjoy her family.

“This silver bracelet matches my new silver hair!  Thank you,” she said.

The Aquarium is the perfect place to spend family time during the holidays, and every Tuesday during the holidays admission is only $2 at the Aquarium, Audubon Zoo and Insectarium.

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If you know of someone who could use some Christmas cheer, please send Kenny an e-mail at kenny@digital-staging.wgno.com.

For more information on the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, click HERE.

For more information on You Night Empowering Events for cancer survivors, click HERE.