December 20th was the date picked for the Jackalope Open’s annual Camillian Center Children’s Christmas shopping trip to Big C in Rayong. Arriving at the center, I met up with Wild Bill & Erle. Unfortunately, Woody was unable to attend this year’s shopping trip as he is recuperating from a motorcycle accident. After lunch the children were anxious to get into the vans for their trip to Rayong.
Upon arrival at the main entrance to Big C, the Camillian Center staff – which included Father Joey, Event Organizer Paul, Manager Supada Promkonsarn, Coordinator Rariporn Chearpool, Assistants Chayanit Soree, Napher Jabo, Orapan Sangrung, Chaichaman Wongsai and Parchern Ridsan took charge of the group of 60 children to give them their instructions and directions.
The Big C Teddy Bear came out to greet the kids.
They seem to have a pattern in their shopping, first picking out articles of clothing, then a visit to the cosmetics department for the girls and ending up in the shoe section. It is good to see the older children helping the younger ones with their shopping and showing them how the price checking computer stations will show them how much they have left to choose other items.
After an hour and a half, the shopping was done and it was time for the Big C staff to total up all the individual purchases and final tally. This year over 500 items were rung up and nearly 53,000 baht was spent, with plenty of happy faces on all the kids.
An additional outing in late April or early May 2016 is now in the planning stage.
Once again, the receipt turned out to be several meters long.
We would like to thank the staff at Big C in Rayong for all their help in making this another memorable day out for the children. Finally, thanks to all the staff at the Camillian Center for once again planning and organizing not only this shopping trip, but all outings that the Canadian Jackalope Open and Jesters Care for Kids provide for them.
On behalf of all the Canadian Jackalope Open organizing committee, I would like to take this time to thank all our sponsors and supporters for your continued support and to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
