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Palomino students practice the spirit of giving

SVdP thrift store gives low-income students Christmas shopping spree for loved ones

Alfredo picked out a necklace for his mother. Sara chose grilling tools for her dad, and David picked out a tea pot with a set of tea cups for his mom. He'd accidentally broken his mother's tea pot this year, so he knew this would be the perfect gift for her this season.

It was all part of the holiday event held by a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store for more than 1,100 low-income elementary students from Palomino Primary School. They went on a shopping spree at our north Phoenix thrift store that was transformed into "Santa's Workshop" for one day just for the students. During this shopping spree, students were able to experience the spirit of giving as they shopped for holiday presents for their parents and siblings. Every item in the store, large and small, cost only one dollar. Volunteer shoppers helped students like Alfredo, Sara and David, pick out the perfect gift and students even got the chance to meet Santa.

This year, our partners Bank of AmericaDriveTimeU-Haul and Walmart made the event possible thanks to their financial gifts and volunteer efforts. Thank you to all who made this 32nd annual event successful again this year!

Visit our Facebook page to see more photos from this event!