The Lynx spent no time bemoaning the lack of an invitation to the White House – one that at least one leading player on the team, Rebekkah Brunson, said she would decline after the team won its fourth WNBA championship in the fall.

Instead, they spent Wednesday in Washington D.C. in conjunction with Samaritan’s Feet giving away Jordan tennis shoes and Nike socks to children at Payne Elementary School. The team was also greeted by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Tina Smith, Congressman Tom Emmer and others in celebration of the 2018 title.

Klobuchar rode the team bus with the Lynx and joked it’s the closest she’s ever gotten to being on a team.

“To be there with them today with all those kids looking up at them for the superstars that they are,” Klobuchar said on a video she released on Twitter, “and you know what they decided to do? They are not at the White House today; no, they’re in this school and they’re with these kids and they are celebrating their championship in the best way possible.”

The 340 students put their shoes to work for them right away, playing basketball with Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles and other Lynx players.

“I want to say thank you for being such amazing athletes, being great role models, and showing how champions act,” said Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

The Lynx play the Washington Mystics on Thursday.