Chaffee children get early holiday

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Fifty-seven children went on a Christmas shopping spree Saturday, courtesy of the Chaffee Chamber of Commerce's Helping Hands program.

More than 100 people -- children, family members and friends -- filled Chaffee VFW Post 3127 to enjoy a light breakfast before the shopping cash was distributed. Some stayed behind as adult volunteers and Future Business Leaders of America students escorted the children shopping.

"I love it," said FBLA president Suzanne Reischmann. "I think it's fun just seeing the kids' faces."

Helping Hands, in its 11th year, requires only that the child be a Chaffee resident and must shop within the town. The Chaffee Chamber of Commerce compiles a list of children who would benefit from the program, and the organization solicits sponsorships of $25 per child.

"If you go over the $25 limit, the shopkeepers usually let it go," said Leslie Horman, a volunteer from the chamber.

Horman escorted Angel Bain, 4, to Dacus Discount and Dollar General Stores with Angel in the lead. For $14.32 her purchases included makeup, Legos, a number book, magnetic numbers, math cards and the backpack.

"I enjoy being with kids and helping the community out. It was a good experience last year. The kids get so excited," Horman said.

Kevin Teegarden, active in Helping Hands for a decade, is chairman of the program.

"This year Scott County Transit helped us out by shuttling shoppers around and then back to the hall, where receipts are handed in," he said. "It helps a lot because parking can be a problem with the influx of shoppers all at one time."

Dacus Discount was a stop for most shoppers. The variety store stocks a large toy department, according to owner Bob Dacus.

Theresa Wiggins, mother of three boys, went along with her children and FBLA volunteers. Wiggins, a CNA at Life Care Centers, just got off work at 6 a.m. She said, "I hope they don't go crazy in there."

She kept an eye on the two older boys, Tyler Golden, 8, and Jimmy Golden, 9, to be sure they selected items they'll be happy with.

"If I let Tyler get all the stuffed toys he wanted, then he'd be disappointed when he got home and saw his brothers playing with trucks and cars," she said.

Once back on the bus and positioned next to his mother, 2-year-old Diondre "Dre" Wiggins pulled out his plastic school bus, almost as big as he was. Diondre opened and closed the bus door and motioned to his mother about the absence of people in the seats

"He watches his brothers get on the bus every morning," Wiggins said.

The shoppers, out the door at 9 a.m., returned to the VFW by 11:10 a.m. to turn in receipts and visit Santa.

Chaffee FBLA adviser Jeanette Wachter said 43 of the 82 students in the organization helped out Saturday.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133