TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Holiday spirit was in full swing at JC Penney’s, first thing in the morning on Dec. 9. The faces of 30 primary-school aged children lit up as they eagerly awaited their shopping spree for winter necessities.
Tinker’s commercial derivative aircraft division (CDAD) from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center held its annual Clothe the Children Campaign, a campaign in which two children from each of the 15 Mid-Del primary schools are chosen to have a shopping trip paid for through CDAD fundraisers.
A boy and a girl from each school are selected by their counselors, Stacey Boyer explained. Ms. Boyer is the director of Community Relations for Mid-Del schools. Then, each underprivileged child is paired with a volunteer from Team Tinker to shop with. A list is created specific to the child’s needs and sizes. Other notes are included such as color preferences and favorite items.
Karren Majors, coordinating the campaign for her 15th year, said her division raises money throughout the year through bake sales and other fundraisers to be able to provide for the children in need.
“This year I was able to purchase $4,500 worth of gift cards. Each child was allotted a $150 gift card, and then JC Penney’s provided an additional $25, so each child had a minimum of $175 to shop with,” Ms. Majors said.
On top of that, CDAD provides goodie bags for their parents and breakfast bags to ensure everyone has something to eat before returning to school. JC Penney’s also provided separate treat bags for each child and each shopper.
Ms. Majors emphasized that her unit puts a lot of effort in to making sure that the children have what they need to get through the winter months.
“Our main priorities are finding good, serviceable winter coats and shoes. Socks and underwear are also necessary items that many of the kids do not have,” the coordinator explained.
A little bit of chaos, as 30 children race between the shoes and clothing departments, picking out everything from parkas and hoodies and vests, to dress shoes and boots and sneakers.
Destiny, 7, had a permanent smile across her face as she picked out some shiny black “fancy shoes” to complement her new “fancy party” red and black dress.
“This is going to be my favorite dress, I know it!” she exclaimed. “The fluffy skirt makes me want to twirl. I feel like a princess.”
The first grader was paired with a shopper, Tiffany, and her daughter, Mia, who both admitted they were probably having more fun than the child.
Five-year-old Lillian shopped with Tech Sgt. Courtney Lovett and Senior Airman Cameron Purnell, picking up every pink and purple and glittery item in sight.
“This is actually my second year doing this,” Sergeant Lovett said. “If this were my job every day…that would be the best. I love spending the morning with these kids and to see their faces just beaming with happiness makes it worth it.”
“It’s so much fun,” Sr. Airman Purnell said. “This is my first time volunteering and I’m really enjoying it.”
Along with Team Tinker, JC Penney employees were festively dressed, ranging from Buddy the Elf to Santa Claus to reindeer.
When the campaign kicked off in 1991, only five children were sponsored to shop. In the years since, Ms. Majors commented that they’ve had as many as 40 children and as few as 21, all dependent upon how much money is raised during the year.