“ I wish to go on a shopping spree to help homeless children”Jordan , age 12
Twelve-year-old Jordan didn't need a long time to decide on his wish, but his request for a shopping spree from the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® had a catch. Jordan wanted all the toys, clothes, and other items he purchased to go to homeless children in his community in California.
Not surprisingly, word of Jordan's wish spread, and two local organizations compiled a "wish list" to help him identify the items most important to the homeless children. In the weeks leading up to Jordan's shopping spree, retailers and shoppers learned about his altruistic plan and chipped in by making purchases to give him a head start.
With excitement in the air, the time for Jordan's shopping spree arrived. At his first store – Wal-Mart – every manager, associate, and clerk was standing outside to greet him with smiles and tears of joy. Because the big-hearted boy had been featured in a newspaper story, many shoppers recognized Jordan during the day. They offered him words of encouragement and more. Some even gave him money to add to his shopping spree allowance, while others bought items right off the gift registry.
Throughout the day, Jordan found that many of the stores on his list already had carts and bins filled with merchandise bought by shoppers and employees to support his wish. Additionally, every store gave him a discount, a check to supplement his spree, and a special gift just for him!
For part of his experience, Jordan asked to meet the kids who would be benefiting from his kindness. To accomplish this, the Greater Bay Area chapter threw a celebration at a ranch in Napa for Jordan's friends and families, and the families of the homeless children.
The young shopper arrived at the party aboard a fire truck with its sirens blaring. The kids in attendance greeted him with hand-made banners, cheers, applause, and thank-you cards. The fun continued with everyone feasting on Domino's pizza, donated cookies, and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. The 150 revelers were also entertained with sing-along music, animals, a clown, and face painting.
In addition to the gratitude of the homeless children, Jordan also earned the admiration of the mayor of Napa. During the party, the mayor announced how proud he was of Jordan and presented him with a key to the city! In another highlight, Jordan cried with happiness as he tore open the gift wrapping on his own video camera.
At the end of the day, the families began climbing aboard the trolleys to take them back to their shelters. Jordan gave each kid a hug and a specially-selected present, wrapped that morning by his family and Make-A-Wish® volunteers. In a fitting end, each child graciously told him "thank you" before boarding the trolley.
This page can be found at http://www.wish.org/stories/animals/shopping_sprees/jordan_shopping_spree
©2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation®
