GMHS Lasso Online News Story

Winter Wishes Come True
Huge Shopping Spree To Put Smiles
On 120 Needy Children’s Faces

By Sarah Van Buren (December 12, 2006)

Working with the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Child program, 65 TA reps shopped for toys and gifts for needy children at Target last Friday. The Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Child program, allows people from around the country to bring a little holiday spirit to more than 7,000 needy children in Hillsborough County. The volunteers “adopted-a-child” by buying clothes and toys for children whose families are below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These children range in age from 3 – 12.

Mason has worked with the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Child program for three years now, but this year Mason has been able to support more needy children than ever before. “We’ve made great improvements this year,” said Ms. Karin Tooze, co-sponsor of the SCA which oversees the drive. “We’ve managed to raise $4,700 to support 120 children.” In previous years, Mason has supported 113 children – this year Mason hit a new record. “When I called the Salvation Army to tell them how many kids we could adopt this year, they were so excited,” Ms. Tooze said. “I’m so proud of our school – we were able to support so many children this holiday.” Ms. Jennifer Jayson also co-sponsors the SCA

The 65 TA reps and the seven chaperones got to Target and immediately began shopping. The guidelines required that the students buy one toy, and with the rest of the money to buy clothing.

Juniors Adam Gann and Susanna Sullivan shopped for seven children during Mason’s “Winter Wishes” shopping trip last Friday at Target to benefit needy children. (Photo by Sarah Van Buren)

The reps were given 45 minutes to shop for their TA’s adopted child, Mason students ran around Target in a frenzy – trying to remember what they had wanted when they were a five years old.

Eventually, students lined up at the Mason checkout line – where two cashiers quickly bagged $4,000 plus dollars worth of merchandise into 120 bags. Each bag had fastened onto it a label with an angel – displaying the name of a child who was going to receive a little holiday cheer from Mason.