The Christmas Spirit Campaign reaches its sixth year with a lot of growth.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, 60 students will roam the aisles of the Walmart in Berlin, Md. in search of Christmas gifts for their friends, family and themselves. Each child will receive a $100 gift card to the store and will be able to spend the money tax free.
The event is called the Christmas Spirit Campaign and is put on by the Ocean City Young Professionals with the help of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
During the event, children will be accompanied by a chaperon. After shopping, the children will spend time in the break room playing games and visiting with Santa Claus. While the students play, volunteers will wrap and label the gifts.
“Seeing the children’s reactions — that’s my absolute favorite part, best feeling in the world is seeing enthusiasm and excitement, seeing them running down the aisles,” Jason D’Amore, OC Young Professionals co-chair, says.
Children and chaperones line up during the Christmas Spirit Campaign 2015 (Photo: OC Young Professionals)
After shopping and playing, a bus will shuttle the children and chaperons from Walmart to the Outback in West Ocean City, where breakfast will be served.
While at Outback, the children will receive a goody bag including t-shirts, a Frisbee, tooth brushes and more. Outback also donates ‘Joey Cards,’ which are gift cards for kids, as well as a boomerang.
During breakfast, Phillip Chung, the original founder of OC Young Professionals, will speak to the students, providing a teaching moment. Mary Beth Carozza will also be attending the breakfast.
Children enjoy breakfast during the Christmas Spirit Campaign 2015 (Photo: OC Young Professionals)
D’Amore says the Christmas Spirit Campaign is bigger than ever, jumping from 40 students just last year to 60 students this year.
“The goal is to ultimately get to 100 students,” D’Amore laughs. “Everybody has come together to make this even bigger than it originally was and we’re so proud to be able to help out.”
The event, which gives back to underprivileged, includes students from all Worcester County schools under the age of 12.
“We go to the schools and speak to guidance counselors, let them filter through the students and tell us who is most deserving,” D’Amore says. “They talk to the families and see who would like to participate.”
The OC Young Professionals raises funds through out the year for the Christmas Spirit Campaign event. D’Amore says the event started with some brainstorming.
“It was a way to give back to the community — a brainstorming event that started off small and has grown bigger,” D’Amore says. “We are from the Ocean City area and wanted be involved in community more, to help it grow.”
Volunteers wrap presents during the Christmas Spirit Campaign 2015 (Photo: OC Young Professionals)
OC Young Professionals has been around for 10 years and was originally created as a chance for young professionals in the area to get together, network and talk about their businesses and what they do.
“We still do a little bit of that but we decided we wanted to be more involved in the community, so we thought what better way than through the chamber.”
With a core group of 15 members and 33 members total ranging from 20 – 40 years old, the OC Young Professionals is able to get a lot done. In addition to events like the Christmas Spirit Campaign, the organization helps United Way of Lower Eastern Shore, Diakonia and other local nonprofits.
