ATLANTA -- Will Benson remembered the baseball practices he endured on the small fields at Sandtown Park and his desire to reach the top of the hill to play on the big ones. He eventually made it to the bigger fields, the Minors as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and, ultimately, the big leagues.

But Benson hasn’t forgotten the community that helped build him.

On an overcast, chilly and windy Saturday morning, Benson and his nonprofit organization, Future is Near, brought warmth and joy to over 40 families in need by providing more than 130 gifts in the foundation’s second toy drive at Kingdom Difference Church and Sandtown Park.

“I really believe that's just the Lord working through me to be honest, and I always grew up looking at other professional players do that for their community,” Benson said. “I always look at the things that LeBron James did for Ohio and the things that he continues to do for his hometown. … I would like to fall into that envelope.”

When Benson arrived at his childhood church and park, he walked around and reflected on all of his memories. The Reds outfielder took photos with families and handed out a variety of Christmas gifts. He compared the toy drive to The Jackson 5 song, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”

Benson was joined by Future is Near board members, including his mother Ramona, and A’s outfielder Lawrence Butler.

“Everything’s about giving back to the community,” Butler said. “So if we can come back to our home park, help some families out, [and] make some Christmas [memories], that's just a beautiful thing.”

Since being drafted, Benson has been active in the Metro Atlanta area through Future is Near. The nonprofit’s goal is to empower youth to achieve their dreams and make a difference through inspiration, funding and navigation.

The organization has held a variety of events, such as “Walk Through the Streets of Atlanta,” which handed out snacks and supplies to those in need in the city, and the Sandlot Stars Youth Camp, a program in Georgia designed to help kids hone their baseball skills.

“Will has always been that type of person,” servant pastor of the Kingdom Difference Family Fellowship Albert Lindsey said. “As soon as he was drafted, I got a call from his mom saying, ‘Will wants to do something for the church.’ So that foundation has always been in place, and that consistency and continuity is who Will is.”

Benson’s commitment to helping his community and youth baseball led to his induction to the South Fulton Hall of Fame in November. In the coming years, he hopes his foundation’s events grow larger in scale and impact. With the help from those closest to him, Benson believes it is possible.

“[Their support] means everything to me, it means the world to me,” Benson said. “It solidifies who's really in my circle, so I know who's really rocking with me, and who's willing to help me change my community and, in the grand scheme, change the world.”