Rotarians helps brighten holidays with shopping spree

Secrets were being kept throughout the isles of local retailers Saturday so that Maria, Chelsea and Krista and more than two dozen others could place gifts under their Christmas trees this year for their parents and brothers and sisters.

At Wal-mart, 8-year-old Maria shopped with Rotary President John Tatro, and Kathy Jordan and her 14-year-old daughter, Adrienne. Maria was looking for clothes for her brothers and sisters and parents. Adrienne was helping Maria shop while she herself lobbied for "Rocket the Wonder Dog" a voice-activated, techno dog.

Maria's shy face lit up with a bright grin each time she chose an item for the basket. Maria said she would like a doll for Christmas, Tatro said.

The children's shopping spree was paid for by the Rotary Club of Carson City. The club raises money through fund-raisers such as a silent auction and its Mother's Day rose sale.

Al Christianson said the club has shopped for families for the past 18 years and this year was shopping for 30 Carson City families. Christianson was serving as a secret shopper roaming the isles of Kmart in search of items for the children who were in turn shopping for their families. Someone had snuck a Magic Megan doll into his cart for their shopper. Magic Megan is a magician whose hair changes colors, who pulls ribbons out of her hat and makes a card and a coin disappear.

Krista, who will be 11 in seven days, said she was shopping for her brothers and her mom.

"We get to pick out things for our brothers and sisters," Krista said. "On Christmas Day they will get to open them.

"I'm looking for Barbie things for my sister and stuff for my brothers."

Krista said she was having fun shopping with Janet and Dick Shepard.

"She's just a delight to be with," said Janet Shepard. "We've enjoyed knowing her."

The children were treated to breakfast or lunch, rides on the Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and a party where they received their gifts from the secret shoppers and had a chance to wrap the gifts for their families.