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A lesson in giving
LeMoyne Community Center director Joyce Ellis helps Alexandria Beruman count her Coco money to purchase goodies at the Coco Christmas store. The students earned Coco bucks for doing their homework and good behavior.
Joyce Ellis’ dog, Coco, received the honor of having his photo on the Coco bucks that LeMoyne Community Center students could spendon items such as gum, candy, jewelry and T-shirts.
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With wide eyes and an envelope full of fake cash, children participating in an after-school program at the LeMoyne Multicultural Community Center entered a classroom turned Christmas shop filled with treats and presents Thursday.
After counting how much they had to spend, they perused the merchandise, carefully choosing gifts within their budget. Perfume, jewelry, Christmas decorations and toys were purchased and on their way under the tree for Christmas morning.
Students earned their money by doing homework, attending programs and for good behavior. Center director Joyce Ellis said although the store was created for the children, it also was to teach them how to pay it forward.
“I want them to learn how to give. I want them to learn that the world isn’t just composed of them,” Ellis said. “I want them to learn how to give to someone else freely as people have given to us and appreciate it.”
The fake money, called Coco bucks, was created with a picture of Ellis’ dog Coco in the center. While students spent their “Coco Christmas” bucks, Coco the dog trotted around in a red shirt and a Santa Claus hat to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
“Everyone is very excited for today. The only one who isn’t excited today is Coco. He’s trying to take his hat off,” Ellis said.The volunteers helping with the store also donned Santa Claus hats while helping students calculate how much they had left to spend.
By doing his homework, 11-year-old Malik Meradith was able to buy his grandmother a gift. With a slight grin on his face, he settled on a gold bracelet, paid for it with his well-earned Coco bucks and placed it in his bag, ready for Christmas.