Shopping spree hits its target
In less than a few hours, about 20 people purchased $15,000 worth of clothes and toys at Target in the Empire Center on Monday morning for local families in need.
It’s part of an annual event that began four years ago when friends Lauren Hissrich and Michelle Lankwarden, along with Lauren Hissrich’s husband, Michael, volunteered to shop for $100 worth of toys to donate to Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
PHOTOS: Group effort purchases $15,000 worth of clothes, toys for families in need
Early in 2011, the Hissrichs’ son, Harry, was born at St. Joseph’s and rushed to the neonatal intensive-care unit when he stopped breathing. After his life was saved, he went home healthy about a week later.
Before Lankwarden and Lauren Hissrich set out to shop that first year, they spread the word on Facebook and through email. In two days, much to their surprise, they collected $2,000 to purchase toys.
“[We] brought three carloads’ worth of toys to the hospital,” Lankwarden said.
In 2012, the hospital’s foundation partnered with the trio and they raised $6,000 to spend on families in need.
The next year, when they exceeded the previous year’s donations by more than double — at $14,000 — the three decided they needed help from friends to fill shopping baskets at Target.
“We’re good shoppers, but we’re not that good,” Lankwarden said, jokingly.
When the shopping spree was over this year, the cash register printed out a receipt more than 20 feet long.
“It brings people together,” Lauren Hissrich said of the shopping extravaganza. “It’s kind of like a childhood dream come true — you’re literally going down the aisle [saying] ‘I want all of these Barbies.’ And then to know that you’re giving these toys to kids who, we’re told, might not otherwise not get any presents for the holidays whatsoever. It inspires people. Every year, it’s growing because of this… Mike was the one who pointed it out, [that] it started with the three of us sending out emails. Anyone could do this. Anyone with a computer and a little bit of time and energy could do this.”
This time around, the three raised about $15,300.
On Monday, a group of 20 of their friends arrived at Target in Burbank before 9 a.m. prepared to spend the next few hours shopping.
Sister Sheila Browne, who is St. Joseph’s director of spiritual care and who helps coordinate the delivery of the gifts to families each year, told the group that home-cleaning supplies would be as desired as toys and clothes.
Then she thanked them for their effort.
“I wish you knew how much joy you’re bringing to the kids and families,” Browne said.
The group ended up filling more than 20 shopping carts.
The items will support the neonatal intensive-care unit at St. Joseph’s, as well as the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, which serves the homeless, and the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and the Covenant House, which serves runaway and homeless children and teens.