Children from Great Bend and the surrounding communities were treated to a shopping event that is held at Walmart in Great Bend.
Volunteers for America’s Promise walked around Walmart on Thursday, to help children pick out gifts for themselves or for family members for the holidays.
“The children get to buy a gift for them or for another person,” America’s Promise volunteer Mary Sell said. “ This program benefits the families of the communities.”
There were 23 children that participated in the shopping event this year and each child was given $25 to purchase gifts.
Community Bank of the Midwest was the sponsor.
Three or four children were chosen from the elementary schools in Great Bend and in Ellinwood.
This year, America’s Promise had two people from the Great Bend Police Department volunteering along with two people from the bank, one from the health department and one from Barton Community College.
There were many high school students volunteering as mentors as well.
These high school students are chosen in the beginning of the school year to be mentors for America’s Promise.
“This program helps the children to get to know other kids and the mentors,” America’s Promise volunteer Meleah Frazer said. “The children get to socialize.”

America’s Promise
According to America’s Promise website, America’s Promise Alliance is devoted to helping to create the conditions for success for all young people, including the millions currently being left behind. Their work is powered by the belief that all children are capable of learning and thriving, and that every individual, institution and sector shares the responsibility to help young people succeed.
America’s Promise frame their work around Five Promises that they believe must be made and kept to every young American – caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve.