Teen girls learn compassion during charity shopping trip
Published: December 13, 2005
When the doors opened at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Target store in San Ramon, the girls took off.
More than 200 of them, ages 12 to 18, excitedly grabbed carts and began scouring the aisles for their holiday gifts. With lists in hand, the girls, many wearing pink elf hats, looked for toys, books, clothes and household items.
Like most teenage girls, they glowed with the opportunity to shop for the holidays, but what made this shopping trip different was that the girls were buying gifts for people they did not know and will never get to meet.
The young ladies, members of the National Charity League, were making sure needy families who seek assistance from one area nonprofit have a happy holiday despite their difficult circumstances.
We are trying to get across to the girls that while we sit in our comfortable homes, there are a lot of poor among us, said Sharon Burke, spokeswoman for the Diablo Valley chapter of the national organization. Philanthropy is something we want to instill in the girls at an early age so, when they grow up, they want to give back to the community.
Shelter Inc. of Contra Costa County, the recipient of the holiday gifts, is an independent, charitable, nonprofit corporation created by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisorsin 1986 to alleviate the county’s homeless crisis. Today it helps homeless and low-income Contra Costans obtain economic self-sufficiency.
“They support families in distress,” explained Catherine Haller, the liaison between National Charity League and Shelter Inc. Along with each family’s wish list, Haller included a brief bio of their circumstance.
Burke said her chapter, which is comprised of six “classes,” grades 6 to 12, has shopped for Shelter Inc. families in the past. However, this was the first time the Vista Oak and Rolling Hills chapters joined them in a collective effort. The three groups encompass members from Alamo, Danville and San Ramon.
Founded in 1925, the National Charity League is a nationwide mother-daughter organization with more than 31,000 members in 15 states. The six-year educational program introduces girls to philanthropic work, leadership training, educational activities and cultural events. The adopt-a-family event is part of Ticktocker Day — the name given to the daughters of the founding members who grew tired of watching the clock while waiting for their mothers to perform charitable duties.
Ashley Morgan, 14, took her job seriously while shopping for bedding for one young woman with two small children.
“I think since she can’t afford to buy things for her family and herself, by giving her these gifts her holidays will be better and maybe give her hope for the future,” said Ashley.
After selecting at least one practical and one fun item for the people on their lists, the groups of three to five each, all with at least one mom in tow, made their way to the checkout line.
Each of the 18 classes determined on their own how much money they would donate to buy gifts. Target then opened its doors to them and donated $125 to each chapter.
“Target really supports the community and this is helping needy children,” said store manager Heather Liska, explaining why the store participated.
From the cash register, the shoppers headed to a small Target work room to wrap gifts. After the gifts are wrapped and labeled, Haller will deliver the presents to the Martinez-based Shelter Inc. for distribution to the families.
“I think it’s a great contribution to the community, especially this time of year,” said Sherri McInroy, president of the Vista Oak chapter. “We had a great turnout.”
Finished with playing Santa for the day, Danika O’Neill, Adrian Samson and Allison Moulthrop, all 17, gathered to reflect on the charitable work they had done. They were responsible for shopping for a 39-year-old man who will get a power drill and tool set, some clothes, a watch and more.
“It’s cool to see these people who have nothing, maybe abandoned by their parents, and now they actually get to make a life for themselves and we get to help them make this life,” said Allison, a student at Monte Vista High School in Danville. “It’s kind of rewarding because we are given a lot and it’s a good time of year to share what we are given.”
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