Santa’s on his way to NLC, all students shop for free

On Dec. 7, the Journalism Club will hold its fourth annual Santa Bucks program. Students who attend the event are asked to sign in and show their IDs. Then they will receive $30 of “funny” money or Santa Bucks. They are free to buy any item for themselves or for anyone else.

“I have seen some students give their Santa Bucks money to more needy students,” said Journalism Club advisor Kathleen Stockmier. “It’s really good to see that what we do all year long really makes a difference to so many students.”

The Journalism Club collects donated items from students and staff members throughout the year for this December event. In 2003-04, the program won North Lake’s Innovation of the Year award.

By August of this year, the Santa Bucks program had collected such an abundance of items that they were able to donate a large portion to Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims. The Journalism Club took these things to the Salvation Army’s Katrina Relief and to another nonprofit organization, Irving Cares.

The program also made it possible for an NLC staff member’s guest family to replace items such as clothes, shoes and other necessities they lost due to Katrina.

“I am amazed at how well the Journalism Club organizes, publicizes and executes the event,” said Santa Bucks volunteer Chris Fulmer, who is a professor of arts.

This year the Journalism Club is throwing a whole new spin on the Santa Bucks event by hosting a fashion show the day prior to the shop-till-you-drop free-for-all. There will be a fashion show giving students a preview of what will be available for them to buy. It will also give students an idea of different ways to mix and match items that could be overlooked otherwise. On Dec. 6 students, staff and children will strut down the makeshift runway set up in front of the bookstore.

Donations for the event will be accepted up to the day of the event and can be dropped off in the News-Register newsroom, A-260. Clothing and other donations are always appreciated. However, this year there is a high demand for nonperishable food items. Stockmier said the food is always the first to go. It went so fast last year that Barbara Hromatka, former student and art assistant, spent $150 to restock food for students to buy at the event.

All items sold at the Santa Bucks Shop cost $1 of “funny” money. Some items of greater value, such as computers and televisions, will have a signup sheet for entry to a drawing.

The Santa Bucks Program begins Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m. with the Fashion Show in front of the bookstore and will continue the next day with the Santa Bucks Shop from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the same location.

The event will feature free entertainment, free shopping and free hot cocoa.