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Schoolchildren treated to shopping spree, thanks to B-52s

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Five-year-old Austin was excited to receive new shoes, jeans and a coat, but he also shared the Christmas spirit by wanting to pick out something for his sister.

On Dec. 12, 25 children from Crooked Oak Elementary School were treated to a morning shopping spree with volunteers from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's B-52 Division. Jon Bostic, the appointed president, explained that the group holds various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for this event. This year the group sold T-shirts, coffee cups, coasters and coins, all with a B-52 theme. Each child received $125 and a goodie bag.

Santa greeted the children as they arrived on the bus and visited with them as they shopped around the Midwest City JC Penney store. Tyasia, age 7, picked out a pink princess coat and new shoes. Eight-year-old Quatavis shopped with Bill, an 11-year veteran to the project who said he loves doing it.

Other personal shoppers, like Denise Price, experienced this event for the first time. "This is my first year doing this, and it is such a nice thing," said Ms. Price, who helped 9-year-old Bailey pick out a star spangled shirt and a pink coat. "It is so fun and I really enjoy it."

Trauna James volunteered for the second time on the project and shopped with 6-year-old Riley, who needed new jeans but also picked out the pink princess coat that was a hit with the young ladies.

Shopping with the under privileged children is something the B-52 group has been doing for 30 years. It all start as a way to give back to the community, Theresa Campbell said.

"We say thanks to the community a lot, but this is our way of saying thanks in actions -- to hit specific needs like this," said Col. Tim Dickinson, B-52 Program director. "We exchange gifts with our family, and exchange gifts with our work families, but this community is also family. This is Oklahomans helping Oklahomans."

After all the shopping was finished, the children had a chance to sit on Santa's lap and open their Christmas bags filled with small toys, candy, coloring books and crayons. The kids all sat on the floor looking through their gifts with bright happy faces. It looked just like Christmas morning.