Shopping and Giving at Christmastime

Since 2006, each year members of the Juntos SRQ donate money, then as a group, shop for the vetted needy families at a local WalMart. Each family has submitted a “wish list,” often containing items such as cleaning supplies, and other necessities. Members then dress in festive holiday outfits and shop for each of the members of all the families. Using a budget of $125 per family member, we select the gifts, then wrap them for them to be presented at our annual Little Kids’ Christmas party.

In conjunction with the Women’s Resource Center, Santa and the Grinch both attend our party where the children and parent(s) are served a warm healthy meal with dessert and play games and sing Christmas carols. Of course Santa arrives, is engaged by the Grinch, then proceeds to call each family member up and present them with their gifts, that they would otherwise not be able to enjoy.

It is an occasion that results in a lot of tears of joy from the parents and the Juntos SRQ members, and smiles bigger than you can imagine from the children.