Finding toys and gifts for five siblings and a few aunts and uncles was challenging even for Mercury, a 6-year-old boy whose name fits him perfectly.
The only gift Mercury Oliver knew he would get before he entered Target – by virtue of the “Christmas for Kids” charity program – was for his grandmother, Carol Thompson, who cares for the large brood while recuperating from an operation.
“I want to find an angel for my grandma,” Mercury said. “She’s nice.”
Mercury was one of about 150 underprivileged children who got to see Santa fly in a helicopter to the parking lot early Saturday and then pick out gifts for loved ones in the Glendale Target store.
Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation gives each child $35 to $40 to pick gifts only for others, not for themselves.
It is a rule the children take seriously.
The charity’s director, Trevor Emery, said he once overheard two young boys whispering to each other about beautiful Christmas decorations they saw at the store. They decided it wouldn’t be right to buy decorations because they would benefit from them, too.
“It feels like I’m the adult,” said 11-year-old Brendan Badgett. “It’s just fun to do stuff for my family.”
Brendan said his 26-year-old mother, Kila Cameron, a medical assistant, really deserves the gift he bought for her.
“She’s been trying her best to keep us together in the house,” Brendan said. “We never run out of food.”
Elide Mendoza, 11, bought a doggie shirt for Fluffy, her Shih Tzu. For her mischievous 10-year-old brother Arturo, she bought a T-shirt that said, “I didn’t do it.”
Denver Public Schools counselors, including Pateath Herndon, helped identify deserving children who have brought up their grades in school. She said it’s bragging rights for children who get picked. She selects children from a variety of schools.
Members of the charity picked children up at their homes and brought them to the store early. Santa arrived at 7 a.m. The volunteers steered children toward gifts that fit in their budget.
“It’s pretty fun,” volunteer Ned Carner, 25, said. “I think it’s more fun for us.”
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
