Children, Navy recruits team up for holiday shopping
On Dec. 12, more than 100 local children paired up with United States Navy recruits for the annual Waukegan Township & Shawall Temple Children's Shopping Spree program.
This program allowed children and volunteers to shop at Target and visit People's Choice Video for games and pizza. The shopping spree also allows underprivileged children from Waukegan Township to spend a day with Waukegan Township staff and volunteers.
"It's a privilege every year to help so many kids for the holiday season. This year the children were able to give back by creating holiday cards to give to veterans at the local VA hospital," Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones said.
Investing in the next generation is the theme for the Waukegan Township youth programs. By allowing children to give back, they will receive a "sense of purpose."
Before shopping, children enjoyed a light breakfast at the Waukegan Township Park Place. After breakfast they loaded the bus and each child was provided a gift card to purchase items at Target. A volunteer and Navy recruit accompanied each child to help pick out their items.
After shopping, children were bused to People's Choice Video, where they played games and enjoyed pizza. The event offered a visit from Santa and, before the day ended, each child received a toy from Toys For Tots.
More than 40 United States Navy recruits, Top Teens America, the Artis Yancey HBCU committee members and students volunteered their time to make the event a success.
For information, contact Waukegan Township at (847) 244-4900 or visit www.facebook.com/wkgntownship.