The holidays came early for 110 deserving boys and girls on Tuesday morning after they were set loose inside the Sears in Santa Monica with $100 gift cards to select coats, sweaters, shoes, and other winter-time necessities, just in time for the cooler weather.
The participating children, aged 5 to 12, were chosen based on need to participate in the annual shopping spree event hosted by The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps.
Volunteers from the community, including Pepperdine University students, local church members, Verifi and ADP employees and other local service group members, acted as personal shopping chaperones as they guided the children through the store to help them find the items they need most.
Sears opened its doors early for the special shopping spree so that the children and volunteers could have an exclusive shopping experience.
This event marked the 31st year The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps have partnered with Sears. The annual event has given more than 2,300 children shopping sprees since the partnership first began. Gift cards were purchased by The Salvation Army with the help of a generous discount from Sears.
This event kicked off The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps’ Christmas season, when it will be raising money for families in need through its iconic red kettles stationed at storefronts throughout the city.
For more information on The Salvation Army in Southern California, visit www.salvationarmy-socal.org. To help a child in need in your community, contribute to red kettles or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
