Every December, members of the Rotary Club of West Austin host a Christmas Shopping Spree for 20 deserving students from Wooldridge Elementary School. J.C. Penney has welcomed our club for this event for the last 20 years.
Club members chaperone students one-on-one and are helped with volunteers from a local high school and others fluent in Spanish. This is always a memorable event because many of the students have never had the opportunity to shop for clothing for themselves. They are chosen by school personnel based on need. They bring a list of clothing from their parents/guardians and are told to stick to a budget to increase their math skills. This year was no different and, as always, it was a heartwarming event that participants will never forget.
The Rotarians were kind, empathetic and attentive to the students, which in turn put them at ease and in a shopping mood. Their smiles and exemplary behavior just made us all wanting to help. At the end of the day, we all can say we are so proud to be Rotarians and appreciate the opportunity to participate in a public service that exemplifies the true meaning of the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.