Derrick Miller
DUNCAN — Every year, the Duncan Jaycees have the opportunity to give about 300 children Christmas, when they might otherwise not have one.
Jaycees member Bill Bradley said about $25,000 was raised from the group’s annual auction. On Saturday, several of the Jaycees took that money and went shopping with some Duncan children.
“We’re doing this for the kids,” Bradley said. “This is Christmas for 300 kids.”
The Jaycees auction and shopping spree has been an annual event for 53 years. Bradley has been involved with the organization for 17 years.
Every pre-school to fifth-grade student in Duncan Public Schools received an application to take home. From there, it’s up to parents to fill out the application.
The Jaycee members take into account how much money was raised from the auction to determine how many children they can help. Selected pre-school students can spend up to $50 on clothes, and chosen kindergarten to fifth-grade students get up to $80 to spend.
“We get those with the biggest need first,” Bradley said.
This year, the Jaycees received about 500 applications. The organization raised enough money to help about 300 children. Bradley said the number of applications has increased throughout the years.
Jaycee members had planned to get people shopping and checking out about 9 a.m. But because of the number of people ready to get started, the shopping began early.
Bradley said noon was the cutoff time set for Saturday’s shopping, but that day, he expected to be in the store until about 1 p.m.
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
