Successful Shopping Sprees

The kids started coming in around 1:30, edging up to the three tables we’d set up by the Target entrance to find their last name and be checked in. When we handed them the cards, they either took them shyly and smiled or grinned hugely and raced off to begin their purchasing.

It was a very successful endeavor. All together, we gave away $3000 in Target gift cards to about 60 Taylor students who had been affected by the floods of 2008.

We received several thank-you cards; one read simply “Thank you for taking us to store. Love Ron.” We took photos with most of the kids. The Gazette, CBS, and KCRG all showed up to cover the story and follow the kids around, and they left satisfied. So did the kids. We caught them as they left the store with their purchases- one girl bought a wet-to-straight hair straightener, another boy an enormous nurf gun, and more toys, books, and games.

And, for a few families, the day was even better: we ended up with a couple extra gift cards, so they were raffled off. Upon being given the extra card, one father said “All right, how about we take this stuff, go home, eat dinner, and come back?” His two girls grinned.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Wheeler family, everyone who came to support us, Target, the Gazette, CBS, KCRG, and the community. Check out our photos and see! You really made a difference.