By Daily Press staff
COLORADO AVE. — Local children on Tuesday got a jump start on their holiday shopping, compliments of Sears and a host of service organizations.
Not only did the 75 kids beat the rush, they beat the crowds; they were free to wander both floors of Sears on Colorado Avenue and Fourth Street before the store opened its doors to the public. The children, also treated to an early visit from Santa Claus, cruised the aisles with the holiday sounds of the Santa Monica High School Madrigal singers in the background.
The Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps Community Center sponsored the holiday shopping spree for 75 pre-selected needy children, ages 5 to 7.
Each child received $100 to spend on new clothes. Volunteers from the community center’s advisory board, service clubs, businesses and nearby schools assisted the children as they made their selections.
The Salvation Army expects to serve more than 350,000 people in the Southern California area this holiday season. Many of them will be families in crisis, homeless women and children, older adults, transients and unemployed individuals. In order to serve the needs of each person, the Salvation Army Southern California will be serving dinner, handing out toys, distributing food baskets and raising money to help support the work of the Army.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 16, 2005. Read the original PDF.