Point
system pays for holiday shopping in preschool program by Scott Calvert, Baltimore Sun, December 22, 2002
Mitchell Holt's arms ached, weighed down by a leaning tower of gifts for
his two children. He struggled to keep hold of the skates, action figures,
a "Clifford the Big Red Dog" fun set and a toy truck that could be made to
shout, "Eat dust!"
But there was one burden that Holt, 38, and his wife, Tammy, were spared
yesterday. The Baltimore couple didn't owe a dime for the loot.
At the checkout, the couple simply redeemed the 205 points that they
earned for being involved with their 3-year-old son Tijuan at St. Jerome's
Head Start, a preschool program for low-income children based in Southwest
Baltimore.
This is the 10th year that St. Jerome's has operated its "Super Store."
The idea is simple: Parents who volunteer or find other ways to
participate get points in return.
The points can be used like money to buy new toys and clothes at the
annual event in the multipurpose room on West Hamburg Street.
"Even though I'm a kitchen manager, I have a lot of bills," said Holt, who
works at Phillips Seafood Restaurant in Annapolis. "This will bring joy to
my kids, the smiles on their faces."
Everyone seemed to appreciate that this was no mere giveaway. "It gets
away from that handout mentality," said Mary Gunning, director of St.
Jerome's Head Start, which is run by Catholic Charities and serves 275
children at nine locations.
Even so, the spirit of giving ran strong. "For me, this is what Christmas
is really about - sharing with other people," said Gunning, decked out in
red antlers. "The Christmas season really begins for me the day we do the
Super Store."
The store opened early this year. Parents lined up at 5:30 a.m., prompting
organizers to turn shoppers loose a half-hour sooner than planned, at
7:30.
About 175 families participated in the event. But this was no chaotic
post-Thanksgiving trip to Wal-Mart.
There were no elbows thrown; nobody ran wildly. Instead, groups of 25 were
allowed to browse the goods in relative peace for half an hour.
The multipurpose room took on the feel of a museum at times. The loudest
noises came from the humming ventilation system and the creak of footsteps
on the worn wooden floors.
More than 30 tables were laden with dolls, board games, sports gear, toy
trucks, clothes. All was donated by companies, churches, schools and
individuals.
Unlike at a real store, there was no danger of overspending. When your
points were gone, that was it. But like at a real store, some items went
quickly.
"GameBoy Advance and Bratz dolls - those are the hot-ticket items," said
Kisha Gladden, a coordinator.
In an act of fairness not often seen in the commercial world, organizers
held back some GameBoys for later groups.
GameBoys, which sell for $70 to $90, went for 65 points. Most gifts were
worth 10 to 25 points. To get a sense of the effort required of parents,
each hour of volunteering equals 2 1/2 points.
There are many other ways to accrue points.
"We understand they can't all come in and volunteer," said Michele
Petrella, a family services coordinator.
Points also go to parents who have perfect attendance at work, who bake
for Head Start parties or who act as chaperones on trips.
Adeirdra Campbell, a 21-year-old administrative assistant, said she had
already spent hundreds of dollars on gifts for her 2-year-old son Tiyon.
"This," she said, "is just to get the little stuff."
Sabrina Veney, 28, a mother of two daughters who lives near St. Jerome's,
said the program helped "a whole lot." With the money she saved, she will
buy a turkey and a ham for Christmas dinner.
Alexandria Cahill, 32, of Calhoun Street, said there would have been far
less under her Christmas tree. She has six children ages 2 to 15. She is a
housewife who volunteers often at Head Start, where her 3-year-old
daughter Justice goes.
That is how Cahill racked up 250 points for yesterday's spree. "It helps
out a great deal because my husband is the only one who works," she said.
