Preschoolers, with a gift wish list envelope hanging from their necks, wait for Santa Claus to arrive by firetruck Saturday at the Wal-Mart in Elk Grove Village. They shopped at the store as the Woodfield Area Childrens Organization gave the 200 low-income children a $75 shopping spree each, and high school students volunteered to accompany them pick out their gifts.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
The Woodfield Area Children’s Organization made it possible for 200 low-income preschoolers to each enjoy a $75 shopping spree Saturday at the Elk Grove Village Wal-Mart.
More than 200 Elk Grove High School students helped out, as well as 25 from Stevenson along with students from Fremd and Conant high schools.
The kids were ages 3 to 5. WACO conducts fundraising events through the year to get money for the program. A similar event is planned Dec. 10 at the Elgin Wal-Mart on Randall Road.
At Elk Grove, Santa arrived via firetruck Saturday morning and the kids, with help from the high school students, head inside to do their shopping. Afterward, the kids have pizza while gifts are wrapped and placed in bags to go home on buses with kids for opening at Christmas.
Nicole Alvarado gets a hand from Santa after he arrived Saturday via firetruck at the Wal-Mart in Elk Grove Village as the Woodfield Area Childrens Organization arranged a shopping spree for low-income preschoolers.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
Volunteer high school students line up Saturday to help preschoolers shop at the Wal-Mart in Elk Grove Village in a program made possible, in part, by the Woodfield Area Childrens Organization.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com