omething wonderful happened at the Charlie Griswell Center Senior Center on December 19th and District Governor Andre' and Walter, and Assistant Governor Tyler were right in the middle of it!!!! The Rotary Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent sponsored “The Giving Side of Christmas," once again partnering with Kinship Care - a Clayton County program for grandparents taking care of grandchildren.
For the 16th year, the children will have an opportunity to GIVE presents at Christmas. As the children arrive at the center, the grandparents turn them over to a “personal shopper” who helps them create a shopping list for the presents they would like to “buy." For each one on the list, the child receives one "Rotary Buck." Our "Rotary buck" has a picture of the current President on it.
Then the children go to the showroom where every item costs a Buck. They choose a present for each person on their list, go to the checkout line, and “pay” for them. After the purchase, their personal shopper takes them to the wrapping station where the gifts are wrapped, tagged, and put in their shopping bag. They are now able to go home with Christmas to give.
After all the hard work shopping, the children get to eat pizza and, of course, visit Santa. They are then reunited with their grandparents who have been relaxing in the “Grandparents Lounge."
The Rotary Club will serve 70-80 children and will allow those kids to experience the joy of the Giving Side of Christmas. Many Rotarians contributed to the fund for the buying of the Christmas presents to be wrapped and many gave the time to go and shop for the gifts. The Walmart store on Eagles Landing Parkway donated money for the purchase of the toys. Thanks to all!