Rotary treats kids to shopping spree

Santa came early this year for 25 children from the Conejo Valley when the Rotary Club of Westlake Village provided shopping buddies and $100 per child for disadvantaged boys and girls ages 6 to 17.

Rotarians, their families, and friends met at 8 a.m. recently at J.C. Penney in The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks and were paired with their buddy. Each child had a shopping list that had been prepared with help from their parents.

Many of the items on the children's lists had a 50 percent discount and the store gave the shoppers an additional 20 percent off the total price.

According to Langkusch, J.C. Penney has always been involved with community programs. The store's After School Foundation donates $9 million nationwide to underprivileged children.

One young girl said this was the happiest day of her life.

The 25 children, all from underprivileged families, were selected by Martha Torres, program manager for Interface Children's Family Services. Interface and Rotary have been partners in this program since the program began 20 years ago.

Nadine Larson, chairperson of this year's shopping spree, said the club donated $2,500. The money was raised at Rotary's annual Street Festival in Westlake Village.