Holiday Shopping

UMOM New Day Centers &
Friends of the Children

Each Holiday Season, Executive Council Charities and the members of Executive Council 70 partner with charities to take economically disadvantaged children shopping. In recent years, the charity partners have been UMOM New Day Centers and Friends of the Children. UMOM provides safe shelter, housing and supportive services to homeless families and individuals, serving more than 2,000 children each year. Friends of the Children empowers youth who are facing big challenges by matching them with a professional, paid mentor from kindergarten through high school graduation.

The Holidays are a particularly difficult time for these children since they do not have the resources to enjoy the season the way other children would. We arrange for a Saturday morning shopping adventure at a local store for over 200 children. Each child is paired with a volunteer chaperone from Executive Council 70 who guides them around the store, buying items from a list developed with staff from the . Not only do the kids get a few toys, sports equipment and other desired items off their “Santa wish list”, they also get important necessities like clothes and toiletries.

Many also make sure they get gifts to give to other family members. In some cases, just having a caring adult willing to spend time with them to get to know them is the best gift they receive. At the end of the shopping experience, a complimentary lunch is provided to all the kids. It truly is a magical day and all at no cost to the charity or the children since our members underwrite the program.