Posted by
Billy on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 11:02:08 AM
(Below is an uplifting story that I thought might encourage you during the Christmas - holidays season. )
Nearly 250 of Santa's best helpers roamed the Westroads Mall Sunday, helping
visually impaired students shop for holiday gifts.
The Santa's assistants actually were students from 14 area high schools who
volunteered for the 49th annual Ruth Sokolof Christmas Shopping Party. The event
allows youths with impaired vision to surprise their families with gifts they
pick out themselves.
“These visually impaired kids don't get to go out by themselves to shop, so
they miss out on the fun of surprising their families,” Karen Sokolof Javitch
said. “Today all they need is a list, and our volunteers make sure they get what
they came for.”
Ruth Sokolof, who died in 1982, was a teacher for the blind. After her death,
her husband, Phil Sokolof, ran the event until he died five years ago. Their
daughter now organizes the shopping spree with help from the Nebraska Foundation
for Visually Impaired Children and about 300 volunteers.