The cheerful event took place at the Walmart Supercenter in Baldwin Park, where numerous community members, partners, volunteers, local agencies, businesses, store workers, parents, and families gathered in the spirit of giving.
Baldwin Park Unified students from transitional kindergarten through adult education arrived with their families bright and early and were matched with a community volunteer shopper. Together, they embarked on a shopping spree for new winter clothes using their information such as their age, grade, favorite color, clothes, and shoe size.
Each student was gifted an $80 gift card made possible through generous donations within the community. In addition, Walmart provided a 10% discount on all student Santa Clothes Event purchases. After the shopping was completed, students were able to stop by “Santa’s Shopping Carts” and select a free toy before being transported via BPUSD bus drivers back to their school.
This year, the District and the City were able to surpass their goal of servicing 385 students to 400 students. Students are considered based on a family’s need, and school community liaisons work with selected families to complete applications.
“We are thrilled that the ‘Santa Clothes’ event is returning for a 26th year. It is a great example of what makes me so proud to be a part of the Baldwin Park Unified School District community,” said District Board President Diana E. Miranda-Dzib. “We take every opportunity to help our students succeed, in and out of the classroom. This tradition uplifts our students and ensures they can enter the new year feeling their absolute best.”
This year’s volunteers included helping hands from: Baldwin Park Unified School District, City of Baldwin Park, Starbucks, US Bank, Valley County Water District, Vulcan Materials Company, Walmart, local community members and more.
“It is wonderful to participate in this event year after year, and see our community come together for our students,” said BPUSD Superintendent Froilan N. Mendoza.
PHOTOS
BPUSD_SantaClothes1: BPUSD students take a picture with Santa and showing their Santa Clothes gifts and toys.
BPUSD_SantaClothes3: BPUSD student selects toy gift from “Santa’s Shopping Carts.”
BPUSD_SantaClothes4: District Superintendent Froilan N. Mendoza (left) poses with two students after finishing their Santa Clothes winter shopping sprees.
BPUSD_SantaClothes5: District Board President Diana E. Miranda-Dzib (middle) and two students pose after completing their Santa Clothes winter shopping sprees.
BPUSD_SantaClothes6: Volunteer shopper and BPUSD students prepare to start their Santa Clothes' shopping spree.