Two generous community leaders treated 25 local students to a Christmas shopping spree at Lawrenceville’s ToysRus earlier this month.
By Jennifer M. Larkin, Special Writer
Two generous community leaders treated 25 local students to a Christmas shopping spree at Lawrenceville’s ToysRus earlier this month.
Township Director of Social Services, Lou Anne Wolf said that Monmouth Mobile Home Park owners Arthur and Debbie Roedel took 25 Indian Fields Elementary School students to the toy store Dec. 7, each with $100.
With the help of Ms. Wolf and the guidance counselor at the school, Mr. and Mrs., Roedel invited the students as a way to bring holiday cheer into the community, Ms. Wolfe said.
Shyanna McElroy, a fifth grade student was invited, according to her mother Kim McElroy.
”She had a great time and was very excited,” Ms. McElroy said. “It’s like Christmas every day when you get such a surprise.”
According to Ms. McElroy, the children met at the Monmouth Mobile Home Park on Route 1 at 8 a.m. for breakfast where hot chocolate and other goodies were served.
The students then boarded a charter bus headed to the toy store in Lawrenceville.
Store representatives said it was the first time anyone had ever done such a thing, and so they gave a 10 percent discount, allowing the children to spend more money than they each had allotted for, Ms. Wolfe said.
Accompanied by Ms. Wolf, Shyanna toured the store purchasing a stuffed animal dog, a Barbie, many clothes and her beloved “American Doll,” an item her daughter had always wanted, Ms. McElroy said.
”She hasn’t put it down since she purchased it,” she said.
The children were each given a budget of $100 that Shyanna went over, according to her mother.
Offering to return an item, Shyanna said that one gift was for her mother, a coffee cup filled with coffee and a cookie, Ms. McElroy said.
Needless to say, after hearing the news, the good people at the store allowed Shyanna to purchase the extra item for her, Ms. McElory said.
”It was the highlight for Shyanna to be able to bring home a gift for me,” said Ms. McElroy. “It made Shyanna’s year. It was a Godsend to see her excitement.”
The Roedels’ are well known in the community for their philanthropy including sponsorship of the Bicentennial celebration in 1998.
When reached, the couple said they preferred not to be interviewed about the trip, but said they were happy to spread holiday cheer to some of the children in town.