This shopping trip from the Jackalope and the Jesters is now a well established Christmas tradition and very much welcomed by all.

I can not think of any better way of brightening an orphaned child’s Christmas. The chance to go shopping and pick out for yourself what you would like as a present.

To an orphan this is a supreme experience. All of us here at the Camillian Social Center Rayong thank all involved very much indeed for keeping this event alive.

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Camillian Center Christmas Shopping Trip 2014

December 13^th was the date picked for our annual Camillian Center Children’s Christmas Shopping Trip to Big C in Rayong. Arriving at the center, I met up with Woody, Erle and Big Jim – making his first visit to the center and helping out with the shopping trip. While waiting for another function to finish up, Woody presented the Jackalope with the Care for Kids 2014 Certificate of Appreciation. After lunch the children were anxious to get into the vans for their trip to Rayong. 

Upon arrival at the main entrance to Big C, the Camillian Center staff – which included Father Tao, Father Joey, Event Organizer Paul, Manager Miss Supada Promkonsarn, Coordinator Miss Rariporn Chearpool, Assistants Miss Chayanit Soree, Miss Napher Jabo, Miss Orapan Sangrung, Mr. Chaichaman Wongsai & Mr. Parchern Ridsan took charge of the group of 62 children to give them their instructions and directions. They seem to have a pattern in their shopping first picking out articles of clothing, a visit to the cosmetics department for the girls and ending up in the shoe section. It is good to see the older children helping the younger ones with their shopping and showing them how the price checking computer stations will show them how much they have left to choose other items. 

After an hour and a half, the shopping was done and it was time for the Big C staff to total up all the individual purchases and final tally. This year over 500 items were rung up and nearly 47,000.00 Baht was spent, with plenty of happy faces on all the kids. 

An additional outing in late April or early May 2015 is now in the planning stage. 

We would like to thank Suchada Bhumikomsarn and the staff at Big C in Rayong for all their help in making this another memorable day out for the children. Finally, thanks to all the staff at the Camillian Center for once again planning and organizing not only this shopping trip, but all outings that the Canadian Jackalope Open and Jesters Care for Kids provide for them. 

On behalf of all the Canadian Jackalope Open organizing committee, I would like to take this time to thank all our sponsors and supporters for your continued support and to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wayne Ogonoski