When the doors opened at 6 a.m. Dec. 13 at Bonney Lake Fred Meyer, a crew of holiday elves set their holiday shopping gears in motion. An hour later, their efforts helped make the season twinkle a little brighter for approximately 200 Sumner School District families.
The elves – district staff and Lake Tapps Windermere volunteers – read their lists, checked them twice and wasted no time in searching for clothing and toys from wish lists.
The shopping spree was made possible by the Windermere Foundation, Bonney Lake Police Department, Jumpin’ Jack and Jill and the store – which not only offered an extra hour of shopping and a store discount, but also served hot coffee and doughnuts to the volunteer shoppers.
“We were able to donate over $2,900 this year,” said Kelly Jo Patterson, organizer of the event, now in its fifth year. The money was donated by Windermere real estate agents who donated a percentage of their commissions from the past year. That amount was slightly down from last year’s $3,600 – a sign of the economic times, Patterson said.
Yet the decrease in funds and the increase of 50 more children in need did little to dampen the joy each shopper experienced. Like a busy Santa’s workshop, the shoppers wasted no time in locating items requested by families through school counselors and other staff.
While some headed toward the clothing section, others raced to the toy aisle, where one Liberty Ridge Elementary staff member said, “OK, we need to find a Storm Trooper Blaster and two Barbies.”
Like veteran elves, Stan Reed, Julianna Maxwell, Stacia Dorman, Kileen Snyder and Sally Beard searched for dolls, giant stuffed dinosaurs and Star Wars toys.
“This is my third year,” said Beard, a first-grade Liberty Ridge teacher. “I just think it’s awesome. We have 550 kids and I figure that 10 to 15 percent of them are struggling; the economy is extenuating it. This is a fun way to help these kids. And the teachers help, too, by buying gifts so the kids can wrap and give them to parents.”
Liberty Ridge counselor Ken Moan said the joy in being able to help the families didn’t stop with the shopping.
“We have 39 families we’re helping,” he said. “Our families get turkeys and ham dinners, thanks to Stew Bowen at the Bonney Lake Food Bank. And Ben Franklin donates a toy for every kid.”
The excitement found in the toy aisle carried over to the clothing department, where Emerald Hills staff members gathered to search for the best bargains on the latest fashions.
Jennifer Morgensen, Debbie Ottwell and Patterson dug deep into an end cap of soft flannel pajama sets while Karen Harris checked off the right sizes and colors.
“It makes your heart a little joyful,” Harris said. “It’s nice to see generosity come from places that you don’t expect.”
Morgensen agreed. “With the economy so bad, everybody is helping everybody out. And the Bonney Lake police are helping out with toys.”
While Ottwell searched through racks of clothing, she reflected on what the morning’s efforts might mean to the families. Like many of the staff members, her voice filled with emotion. “It’s just an opportunity to help and provide,” she said. She admitted she wasn’t too excited about shopping at 6 a.m. when she was first approached with the idea. “But then I thought about it and to help these kids is an opportunity.”
Morgensen said the morning event provided another bonus. “This helps build the parents’ self-esteem,” she said.
An hour later, most of the shoppers headed toward the check stands, where one more surprise awaited them: a pair of pants that rang up at four cents after the sales price and store discount had been applied.
The shoppers’ loud applause, exuberant cheers and laughter could be heard throughout much of the store. It was clear to all: the community had gathered once again – and succeeded – in helping those in need.
“Christmas can be such a hard time for families,” said Bonney Lake Elementary paraeducator Stacia Dorman. “This means so much to our families.”
Reach Judy Halone at jhalone@courierherald.com or 360-802-8210.
