BERLIN – Ocean City’s young professionals helped more than 60 local children get into the Christmas spirit with a shopping spree at Walmart.
For the 5th year in a row, the Ocean City Young Professionals (OCYP) took dozens of area youngsters on a holiday shopping trip at Walmart as part of the United Christmas Spirit Campaign. Days after the event, the group’s volunteers were still recounting the excitement of the Dec. 5 trip.
“You should see how happy these kids are,” said Danielle Bellante, a member of OCYP, an organization of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
With various fundraisers throughout the year, the group was able to raise the more than $6,000 needed to give 61 kids each $100 to spend on a trip through the aisles of Walmart.
“It was awesome,” said Chrissy Maddy, chairperson of OCYP.
Maddy said in its early years, the campaign provided 50 children with a shopping trip. Thanks to the support of local businesses and donors, it was increased to serve 61 children this year.
“We’re hoping next year for 75,” she said.
Maddy’s group works with local schools as well as Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services to select children in need between the ages of four and 10 to take part in the event. They typically meet up with OCYP at Outback early the morning of the trip. From there, they’re transported to Walmart, where they’re each given a chaperone and a shopping cart to roam the aisles of Walmart.
Though the annual shopping trip was originally intended to make sure the kids received some toys during the holidays, most of the children spend the majority of the $100 buying gifts for their family members.
“The boy I was with came in with a list for his brothers and sisters,” Bellante said.
The chaperones help the children keep track of how much money they’ve spent and steer them toward age-appropriate items. The children are not able to use their $100 to buy gift cards.
“We want them to have something tangible,” Maddy said.
When the kids are done shopping, they’re sent to an activity room at the front of the store where they can visit with Santa and participate in arts and crafts activities led by volunteers from Sonrise Church. While they’re occupied, OCYP volunteers wrap and bag their gifts.
As it does every year, the day’s events culminated with a bus ride back to Outback where the children were treated to a large breakfast courtesy of the restaurant.
Volunteers, several of whom have been participating in the shopping trip since its inception, love taking part in such a positive event.
“You hear the stories from the kids and have them talk about how this is going to make their year,” OCYP member Sara Sabia said.
Though the Christmas campaign is the highlight of year for OCYP, the group of under-35 professionals meet year-round. The organization holds monthly meetings and mixers to network within the local business community. In addition, the group offers educational events relevant to young professionals — such as a first time home buying seminar — once a quarter.
Maddy says the organization is always looking for new members and encourages anyone who is interested to visit the group’s Facebook page or email [email protected].
