IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Christmas came early for about 200 children during the 17th annual Colonies Holiday Miracles sponsored by National Core in Rancho Cucamonga.
The half-day event, held Dec. 7 at the west end of Colonies Crossroads Shopping Center in Upland, featured live music, a pancake breakfast served by the Upland Fire Department, a photographer with Santa Claus, face painting and a Christmas meal provided by Albertsons for select families.
Christmas trees were distributed, and meals were provided by Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, El Pollo Loco and Old Tyme Ice Cream.
The children were selected – no one is allowed to participate two years in a row – by several nonprofits that work with National Core, including the House of Ruth, the YMCA, the Upland Unified School District and Children’s Hope.
The highlight of the day was a $400-per-child shopping spree at Target, which is next door to where the event was held.
That event cost $40,000 to stage, said William Diepenbrock, spokesman for National Core, a non-profit that seeks to improve housing, social service and education in lower-income communities.
“Two hundred dollars for necessities, and $200 for gifts or anything else they want,” said Diepenbrock as he worked hurriedly to set up the shopping spree for 204 children and their parents or guardians. “For some of these kids this might be the only Christmas present they get this year.”
Colonies Holiday Miracles has grown considerably since it started in 2008, said Jeff Burum, founder of National CORE and one of the event’s organizers.
“The first year we did this we had 15 to 20 people,” said Burum, who played a major role in developing Colonies Crossroads at Campus Avenue next to the Foothill Freeway. “But the stores have been very cooperative, and it has really grown. “I guarantee you, when you see those kids come out from Target, you won’t see a dry eye.”
