Wal-Mart clearly demonstrated its philosophy of giving back to the community recently, when six young shoppers were “given” $1,000 for Christmas shopping sprees.

These local teens weren’t shopping for themselves; they were shopping for local charities.

To have the privilege of pushing around a cart and helping out those in need during the holidays, an essay contest was held: 250 words “on why they wanted to be a Santa Kid and help the community,” a Wal-Mart spokesperson said. More than 200 essays were submitted. “A lot of kids shared their experiences … how they were helped in time of need. Essays were judged by the nonprofits chosen.”

“It’s gonna be really cool,” Rio Rancho Mid-High teacher Jim Tillery said, after hearing two of his eighth-graders, Anthony Baca and Joshua Smith, had been among the lucky six.

“I would steal clothes so I would have something to wear. I would also steal MP3 Players and sell them so I could have money,” Baca admitted of his family’s hard times.

Now, he wrote, “I would like to be a Wal-Mart Santa Kid so I can select gifts for kids in need and give something back during the most important time of the year. It makes me happy and thankful when my family receives gifts and I know this will make these kids very happy.”

Smith had a similarly heartbreaking story.

“I was growing up without a father figure because my parents were divorced. My dad was a drug addict and abusive toward my mom. My dad is now in prison because of his drug addiction and his abusiveness toward my mother,” he wrote in his essay.

Now that his mother has remarried and the outlook for his family has improved, he wrote, “If you choose me to be a Santa Kid, I would be very grateful to have the chance to give to those who are not as fortunate and make their Christmas as memorable and appreciative as it was for me when I was in need like them.”

Two other Rio Rancho students, RRHS sophomore Desiree Gonzales and Vista Grande Elementary third-grader Jordan Minke, plus Our Lady of Assumption seventh-grader Theresa Atencio and St. Mary’s School sixth-grader Madsion Woodard.

“The Wal-Mart Santa Kid’s program gives children the opportunity to help others in the community,” said Pedro Andrade, market manager for the greater Albuquerque area. “Wal-Mart is honored to host such a program and infuse the spirit of giving during this holiday season.”

Shortly before 5 p.m. last Thursday, Baca, Smith and four other shoppers arrived on fire trucks at the Cottonwood Wal-Mart and were greeted by Wal-Mart staffers, Santa Claus and Batman.

Rio Rancho Police Chief Robert Boone, Rio Rancho Fire Chief James Tobin and Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack were among Santa’s helpers at Wal-Mart, each happy to provide suggestions or find items for the kids.

Benefitting charities were Cuidandos de Los Ninos, Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation, Casa Esperanza, All Faiths Receiving Home, Albuquerque Christian Children’s Home and the Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico.

Anthony Baca's Essay:

To Whom It May Concern:

       I am Anthony Baca a 13 year old 8^th grader and I go to Rio Rancho Mid-High School.  When I was a little kid my mom was in an abusive relationship.  When he wasn’t hitting my mom he was hitting me.

       When my mother finally got out of that situation we moved into a small three bedroom trailer.  We weren’t very wealthy.  My mom’s friend, her friend’s boy friend and three kids didn’t have any where to live so my mom let them move in with us. There were five kids in one bedroom, my mom’s friend and boy friend in another room and my mom and her boy friend in the other room.

       I would steal clothes so I would have something to wear.  I would also steal MP3 Players and sell them so I could have money.

       The Christmas Angel Organization hosted by the Salvation Army gave our family food and toys during the Christmas Holiday. I asked the Organization for a mattress for my bed for me to sleep on. They purchased one from ‘The Denver Mattress’ store. I appreciated it very much and to this day I still sleep on that mattress. 

       Two years ago we were invited to a place called the Italian American Club.  They gave us food to eat and presents for Christmas.  The school my little brother attends donated a basket of food to my family. A year ago the Rio Rancho Police Department had a party and gave away McDonald’s Happy Meals and presents. The gifts were separated into different age groups and they allowed us to choose a stuffed animal. 

       I would like to be a Wal-Mart Santa Kid so I can select gifts for kids in need and give something back during the most important time of the year. It makes me happy and thankful when my family receives gifts and I know this will make these kids very happy.

Sincerely,

Anthony Bacas

 

 

Joshua Smith's Essay:

 

To Whom It May Concern:

        My name is Joshua Smith and I am a thirteen-year-old eighth grader attending Rio Rancho Mid-High School.  I was growing up without a father figure because my parents were divorced.  My dad was a drug addict and abusive towards my mom.  My dad is now in prison because of his drug addiction and his abusiveness towards my mother.

        When I was two weeks old, we moved to my grandma’s house because we had no other place to live and we did not feel safe around my dad.

        As time passed, we did not have much money and had to shop at Savers, which is a thrift store.  We purchased a pair of pants for as little as seventy-five cents at Savers.  We had to spend Christmas one year at a shelter in Albuquerque with other families in need. 

        My mother has since remarried.  One year when my mother had some extra money, she was able to buy some food, toys, clothes and blankets for a family in need.  Now when possible, we donate food, toys, and clothing during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays to those in need.  It feels good to help people who are not as fortunate as others because I know how it is to be in that situation.

        If you choose me to be a Santa Kid, I would be very grateful to have the chance to give to those who are not as fortunate and make their Christmas as memorable and appreciative as it was for me when I was in need like them.

Sincerely,

Joshua Smith