Hallmark, Bears Care Auction Walk-On Roles for Holiday Touchdown

A Hallmark movie set, two lifelong Chicago Bears fans, and a charity auction with a seriously unforgettable prize: this is the kind of holiday story that practically writes itself. While making Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, Hallmark teamed up with Bears Care to auction off two featured walk-on roles. A day of filming became something much bigger than a brush with television fame.

For winners Carrie May-Borich and Phillip Salamone, the experience brought behind-the-scenes surprises, meaningful family moments, and encounters with Bears favorites. But the sweetest twist? Their big-screen adventure also helped support people across Chicagoland who need a helping hand.

The Hallmark Auction That Offered More Than a Set Visit

Plenty of fans would jump at the chance to visit a Hallmark production. This auction went a step further: the winners would actually become part of the movie, appearing in a scene alongside the cast at Halas Hall.

The partnership paired Hallmark with Bears Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Bears. Proceeds went directly to the organization, which supports programs for people facing hardship, battling cancer, or working to reach their full potential.

Two Die-Hard Fans Landed the Ultimate Cameo

May-Borich and Salamone won the auction over the summer and joined the July 17 filming at Halas Hall. The full movie cast was there, along with Bears head coach Ben Johnson and tight end Cole Kmet, who also appeared in the scene.

For fans whose connection to the team runs deep, this was no ordinary celebrity encounter. They got to combine their love of the Bears with a chance to step inside the elaborate process of making a holiday movie.

Why This Particular Movie Scene Mattered

The winners weren’t simply placed in a random crowd shot. Their roles were part of a scene modeled on the Bears Care Gala, the annual event the team typically hosts at Soldier Field.

That setting gave the film a chance to introduce viewers to the organization and its decades of work across Chicagoland. Featuring the auction winners also tied the scene to the real generosity that helps power the charity.

Bears Care Became Part of the Story Itself

Samantha DiPippo, Hallmark senior vice president of programming and content innovation, said showcasing Bears Care was an important goal. The organization’s community impact was woven throughout the story, including the gala sequence featuring May-Borich and Salamone.

Creating community engagement combined with our iconic holiday magic is the perfect script for how Hallmark and the Bears are true partners.

For Bears Care director Marge Hamm, the collaboration had a practical payoff, too. The behind-the-scenes experiences auctioned to fans raised significant dollars for the charity, helping it serve the community during the holiday season.

What Really Happened During Their Day at Halas Hall

The experience began around noon, when May-Borich and Salamone arrived and were taken to trailers for hair and makeup. Before stepping onto the set, they got the camera-ready treatment that turns an ordinary afternoon into a movie-making memory.

Then came their introduction to filming the gala scene. It opened with attendees entering, interacting with Staley Da Bear, and mingling with one another.

The Holiday Magic Took Hours of Careful Work

What viewers eventually see as a seamless gathering took rehearsals, multiple camera angles, and repeated checks of clothing, hair, and makeup. Over the next few hours, the winners saw just how much coordination goes into filming one scene with a large group.

For Salamone, seeing it firsthand made the finished project feel even more meaningful. Seeing all the behind-the-scenes moments and the hard work Hallmark put into making this movie makes it even more special.

For anyone who loves these films, it’s a good reminder: behind every seemingly effortless holiday celebration is a crew working carefully to capture each moment.

The Plus-Ones Made the Experience Even Sweeter

Both winners could bring a guest, giving their extraordinary day an extra layer of personal meaning. May-Borich chose her best friend, Sheri Pickens, a devoted Hallmark fan.

Salamone brought his father, Phil, who passed his Bears fandom down to him. Sharing the set with his dad turned a rare opportunity into a family memory.

A Father-Son Bears Moment Worth Remembering

Spending the day with my dad at Halas Hall filming the Hallmark movie was truly a blessing, Salamone said. He called being part of the production, experiencing it firsthand, and meeting Coach Johnson a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As filming wrapped, the auction winners also got to meet Johnson and Kmet. For Salamone and his father, whose shared love of the Bears has long been a special bond, that was another highlight of an already remarkable day.

One Meeting Had an Especially Personal Connection

May-Borich also met Connie Payton, wife of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. For her, the encounter meant more than simply meeting someone connected to a Bears legend.

She and her husband named their older son Payton and gave their younger son the middle name Walter. That family connection made meeting Connie a particularly memorable part of the experience.

A Surprise Gift Arrived After a Difficult Week

There was another emotional detail behind May-Borich winning the role: her husband surprised her by bidding after a week when her mother had been in the hospital. The outing gave her a joyful change of pace after a stressful stretch.

She recalled the hair and makeup, lunch, meeting the stars, and encounters with Johnson, Kmet, and Connie Payton. It doesn’t get much better than that, because I love Hallmark, and I love the Bears.

The Best Part Was Bigger Than a Movie Appearance

For all the excitement surrounding the set, the charitable purpose remained central. May-Borich especially appreciated supporting cancer-related work, reflecting on how many people have been affected by the disease, either themselves or through someone they love.

I’m just really happy that we could donate to something that means so much, she said.

That’s what gives this behind-the-scenes story its staying power. Two fans received an extraordinary experience, and their generosity helped Bears Care continue its community work. The movie supplied the holiday setting, but the meaningful connections were entirely real.