There are more than 100000 underprivileged children living in and around the Los Angeles area according to a 2000 city census. For them Christmas isn’t necessarily a time of celebration but rather a reminder of the financial restrictions their families face.
To help Pepperdine students and the Salvation Army in Santa Monica hosted a shopping spree giving 90 disadvantaged children an opportunity to shop for inexpensive gifts during the holiday season.
This year’s annual shopping spree was Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 10:30 A.M.
The Salvation Army has hosted the shopping spree for 24 years and 13 Pepperdine students took the time to help children shop for the holidays this year. The Pepperdine Volunteer Center decided to add this community service to the list of annual volunteer events seven years ago according to Special Events Coordinator Jessica Ernest who didn’t attend the shopping spree.
Sophomore Harveen Gill who participated in the service activity said she thought the experience couldn’t have been better.
“The shopping spree was absolutely amazing Gill said. What makes this event really special is that you can directly see the impact that spending a little bit of time with the children really does make. The kids loved being able to shop and get things that they needed and things they might not have been able to have before.
Ernest was in agreement.
“I think most people had a positive experience and really got to enjoy the interaction with kids who are underprivileged Earnest said.
Each child was given $100 to shop with, all of which comes from donations to the Salvation Army. After receiving $100 in the form of a gift card, children got the Sears department store in Santa Monica all to themselves and purchased clothing that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.
According to an article written by ABC 7 in Lost Angeles, the Salvation Army says the weakening economy makes it especially difficult for children of needy families to receive the necessary clothing.
In an effort to make every dollar stretch a little further, children received an additional 10 percent off their entire purchase.Santa Clause was present at the event, offering children the opportunity to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. The choir from Santa Monica High School was also in attendance, filling the department store with familiar carols, which added to the holiday spirit. Other volunteer groups included volunteers from The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps Community Center’s Advisory Board, nearby service clubs and businesses, according to the photography Web site of Fabian Lewkowicz’s, a photographer present at the event.
Not only did Pepperdine students have an affect on the children, but the children had an affect on Pepperdine volunteers, as well. The two little girls I had were ecstatic when they were able to get purses and accessories on top of their clothes Gill said. Aside from getting clothes they also enjoyed the company of someone older then them. When we told them that we were in college they would be like ‘oh wow!’
Gill said she most enjoyed taking a picture with Santa at the end of the trip.
“The girls took a picture with Santa with their bags filled with clothes and were able to tell him what they wanted for Christmas – an Ipod touch of course she said. This was my favorite moment because you could just see how excited they were for the trip. It was a good end to a great morning.”