Anonymous donor gives 100 special needs children a shopping spree at Toys'R'Us
LAKE GROVE, New York -- An anonymous donor is once again spreading holiday cheer by sending children with special needs on a shopping spree for toys.
Eight-year-old Angela Rose has an amazing smile, and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Just imagine how her father feels.
"It's amazing. Just to see the expression on their faces. Pick whatever you want," said James Trombino, Angela's father.
Pick whatever you want.
Angela is one of more than 100 kids with special needs on a shopping spree at Toys'R'Us.
It was made possible by an anonymous donor.
"This is great. I'm very happy. And whoever has made this possible, from the bottom of my heart, there are no word. Thank you so much," said Terri Lang, a mother.
A similar thing happened last year with a group elsewhere on Long Island.
This year, the same anonymous Santa, somewhere out there, opened up his or her heart and wallet once again. The donation totaled $25,000.
The children are from the non-profit Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, or FREE.
"I think it's a sense of giving back for us and for time as well, that they're part of the larger society," said Anu Arnold, of FREE.
So the kids get gifts, and parents get the gift of seeing their kids filled with joy.
But, there are priceless intangible gifts, too.
"Always give to somebody who has less than you do," said Lilian Elenio, an aunt.
Elenio taught 15-year-old Lauren how to pay it forward, by donating extra money to another family there in need.
