Rotarians foot the bill for needy kids' shopping spree

Saturday's Rotary Shopping Spree meant a lot to 12-year-old Justin Smith, a sixth grader at Carson Middle School.

Looking like an all-American boy with a generous sprinkling of freckles, hazel eyes and a head of thick dark hair, he pulled a well-worn piece of paper from his pocket, the shopping list for his parents and six-year-old brother, Travis.

"This is something we needed this year," he said with a steady gaze. "And I'd like to thank the Rotary Club."

Originally from Ohio, Smith said his family could move back soon and they might not return if his father finds a good job.

About 25 families participated in this year's event, which includes lunch and a ride on the Santa Train, followed by a gift-wrapping party and a visit with Santa at Carson Valley Middle School's gym.

According to spokesperson Al Christianson, the Rotarians enjoy this event almost as much as the children.

"This is one of the greatest events we have all year," he said. "It gets the Rotarians out of their offices. They leave their business attitudes behind and come down to earth."

Each child is accompanied by a Rotarian and together they pick up gifts for the family, valued at about $25 each. As they shop, something will usually catch the child's eye, something he or she might like for Christmas.

The Rotarian will pass a note to a "secret shopper," another Rotarian stationed in the store, who then purchases the gift, which is labeled, wrapped, and distributed at the party.

Monte Fast, executive director of Friends in Service Helping became Monte Fast the ventriloquist, entertaining the crowd with his pal, "Dennis," just before Santa presented the gifts.

The International Rotary Club boasts over 1.2 million members in more than 30,000 clubs world wide, the membership representing a cross-section of the community's businesses and professional men and women.

Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues including children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy and violence.

The first meeting was held in February of 1905, the brainchild of Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he'd felt in the small towns of his youth. Nonpolitical and nonreligious, it is open to all cultures, races and creeds.