Santa's little helpers go on shopping spree

5 students pack shopping carts with toys for less fortunate

SAN ANTONIO – Five lucky kids got to go on a shopping spree Wednesday to help pick out toys for the kids most in need in their community.

It all took place at an H-E-B Plus! store on the on the far West Side.

Donned with Santa hats, the little helpers had 60 seconds to make a mad dash down three aisles, putting as many toys in their cart as they could.

"I was thinking about if I was going to get the whole cart finished," fourth-grader Angela Osorneo said.

Angela had no problem filling up her cart. She went straight for the Barbies, thinking not just about herself, but how much other girls like her would love to have one of the dolls.

"This one would be for little girls. I know a little girl," Angela said.

The five kids from Harlandale Independent School District were selected by Avance, an organization that provides educational programs to at-risk communities.

"It's a pretty underserved area. We're on the South Side of San Antonio, and so for many of our families, it's a struggle to even provide food on the table," said Andrew
Rodriguez, with Avance.

Even at a young age, the children understood how their shopping spree would help others.

"It's really important for the school because some people don’t have that much toys or money," first-grader Blake Dewitt said.

In all, 15 carts were packed full.

Once the toys are counted, they'll be distributed to students in Harlandale ISD.