Monrovia Rotary & Interact Clubs Play Santa

By Sylvia Domotor, DVM

On a cold, foggy, overcast morning, the fog receded and the sun peaked out just a little bit more with each smiling child who left the Monrovia Kohl’s Store with a huge bag of clothes for Christmas. The first annual Rotary Club of Monrovia Santa Clothes Event started at 8 am Saturday, December 8, 2012. By 11 am the sun was out in full force, but was totally eclipsed by the beaming smiles on 28 young faces and their family members.
The 28 children, 5 to 10 years of age, were from families served by The Santa Anita Family Service in Monrovia. Each child was taken shopping in the Monrovia Kohl’s Store by a student from the Interact Club at Monrovia High School or by a member of the Rotary Club of Monrovia. Each child had the opportunity (with a little friendly guidance) to choose for themselves $125.00 worth of school appropriate clothing paid for by the Rotary Club of Monrovia. For many of these disadvantaged children, these would be the only Christmas presents they would be receiving. As the children were shopping, their parents and guardians hesitantly shared stories of lay-offs, home foreclosures and various family crises. The event was a very strong reminder of the needs that exist in our own community. Some of the children came to the event without warm jackets and left bundled up in stylish and warm jackets, coats and shoes. For the Interact students and Rotarians the event was a lesson in economics – making sure each child received the most “bang for their bucks”. Through the generous cooperation of Kohl’s, each child made off with a huge haul.
The smiles of the children and families were matched by the smiles of the Interact Students and Rotarians as some of the children showed off their purchases. Brand names ruled the day; Nike, Converse, Tony Hawk, and Hello Kitty to name a few. Many of the children proved themselves to be fashionistas at quite a young age! Oohs and ahhs greeted most of the bags’ contents. Impressive deals were had by all.
Rotary Club of Monrovia President, Julie Roybal, is already looking forward to next year’s Santa Clothes. Event organizer, Sylvia Domotor, stated that it was the perfect day and her only regret was that we did not have more recipient children. She projects that the Rotary Club will be able to clothe 50 children in 2013.
The Santa Clothes Event was made possible by the cooperation of the Santa Anita Family Services, the Monrovia Kohl’s Store management and employees (who looked very cute in their matching elf hats), the Interact Students from Monrovia High School and the financial support of the Rotary Club of Monrovia and The Rotary International Foundation.

-Courtesy Photo

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