On the 12th day of Christmas, SALT gave to me: 4 carts full of food, 3 hours full of fun, 2 cars packed with students and 1 overjoyed family. On Saturday the 10th, Benet’s campus ministry, SALT, put together an opportunity for students to donate their time and give back to the local community. This opportunity, Christmas Drive Shopping, will forever be a highlight of Benet’s fantastic Christmas Drive.
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The event started at 8:15 A.M. in St. Daniel hall, where students checked in and found their team of 2-6 people. Every group was previously assigned a budget, a store, and a family to purchase goods. Everyone filed into their seats, decked out in their Benet spirit wear. Mrs. Jackie Bedore spoke to all of the shoppers about guidelines and what to do about payments. Benet alloted a certain amount of money earned from the previous year to pay for this year’s shopping.
Each group then made their way to either Jewel or Meijers, where they bought either groceries or clothes/toys respectively. The family wish lists were sent with each group about what the family is looking for this Christmas with information about each family member’s Christmas wish. After an hour of frenzied, but fun, shopping, students then arrived at checkout where their items were bagged and loaded into a car back to Benet.

Back at Benet, everyone met up with their “sister” group, the people shopping at the other store for the same family. Together they wrapped the items and didn’t stop until every last item is packaged in festive cheer. Both teams then delivered the presents to the family in person. Being able to meet the family who was shopped for and seeing their overjoyed reaction is priceless. The kids jumped around and the mother had tears in her eyes.

Being able to help out another local family in this way is a reminder of a way to share Jesus’ message this holiday season. Christmas Drive Shopping is a lovely event that brings Benet, and the outside community together.