Special Christmas Shopping Event Brings Smiles to Faces

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dubuque, aided by private and corporate donations to countless volunteers, provided an early holiday celebration with the return of its “Special Christmas Shopping” Event.

Some 50 youngsters from the organization’s Dubuque club were treated to pizza and cookies before they filled buses and heading out on local shopping spree at Theisen's Home, Farm, and Auto along with a trip to JC Penney's where toys, clothes, and shoes filled their carts.

Volunteers from organizations such as the Diamond Jo Casino, Boys & Girls Club Booster Club, Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, Noon Optimist Club and other local volunteers helped guide kids through the aisles while getting to know each other as they spread holiday cheer.

“This is a chance for the kids of Boys & Girls Club of Dubuque and the community to really celebrate the spirit of the season,” said Brian Meyer, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque.

Tom Sullivan, director of program services, noted that this opportunity to share holiday joy with club members “has been a humbling and heartwarming experience for me this season. It was a joy to see all the smiles on all their faces."

“This was a huge volunteer effort and staff undertaking. It’s really the definition of the holiday season.”