West Orange kids enjoy Orlando Magic funded shopping spree

West Orange Boys and Girls Club members piled onto a charter bus and navigated down to Walmart. Upon arrival, they walked through a parade of hands and applause from volunteers. They grinned ear to ear, soaking in the recognition. 

Each of the 33 children sat lined in two rows of tables in a bundle of excitement, nerves and anticipation for the hours ahead of them. 

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

Adding to the magic was the Orlando Magic’s mascot Stuff the Dragon, who began deejaying and teased the children by stopping the music just before the beat drop. He paraded down the tables with a small basketball, handing it to those who wished to test their basketball skills. He kept them entertained for what was to come. 

The Boys and Girls Club members had two hours and $100 to spend in Walmart during the Orlando Magic and PepsiCo’s Holiday Shopping Spree Thursday, Dec. 4. 

Or so they thought. 

Hidden out of the children’s view were two Orlando Magic players: Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva. They decorated themselves with Walmart elf hats and quietly walked in to surprise the guests. 

When the NBA stars walked in, the children erupted in cheers. 

The players were holding a secret up their sleeves. 

Once everyone settled back into their chairs, Banchero took hold of the microphone. 

Banchero grinned, anticipating how they would react to his news. He told everyone the Magic players added extra funds to the Holiday Shopping Spree, and now, everyone had $225 to either spend or keep after the event ended. 

The room exploded. Children couldn’t contain their excitement. They jumped, they cheered and their eyes sparkled with the news. 

Children couldn’t believe the opportunity they had. They continually asked Shamel Akins, the West Orange Boys and Girls Club director, if he was sure they were able to purchase anything from the store. He said yes, and the only limitation was no food. 

In groups, the children paraded around the store with Banchero, da Silva and former Orlando Magic player Bo Outlaw to kick off the early Christmas magic. 

As the groups toured their way through the aisles of Walmart, it was impossible for them to wipe a smile off their faces. Banchero, da Silva and Outlaw helped the kids reach items they couldn’t and pointed them in the direction of purchasing better gifts. 

“Let’s get you a better ball,” Outlaw said to a boy who reached for a plastic basketball. 

Each group of six to eight kids had a volunteer on-hand who pushed the shopping cart for their group and kept track of each kids’ budget and items. Some ran toward the makeup section, others instantly gravitated toward the toys, while others headed to the technology. 

“I want a basketball,” Landyn Brunson said with a smile on his face. He only wished for the one item to make himself happy. 

The store soon was filled with children wearing blue “Holiday Magic” shirts. After two hours, everyone gathered at the checkout counters to load up their Christmas sacks. If they didn’t spend their entire gift card amount, they were allowed to keep the remainder for a later date.

Once everyone checked out, they headed back into the garden section of Walmart and enjoyed pizza, chips and drinks to close out the special evening before marching back onto the charter buses to head home. 

One boy couldn’t resist showing off his joy. With the added budget he was able to buy himself a pair of nice headphones to play video games.

“A lot of our kids don’t really have an opportunity to get Christmas presents or as many as they want,” Akins said. “This is the one time that they get to think about themselves, for their loved ones and say, ‘Hey, now I can give you something.’” 

Photo by Megan Bruinsma

ANTICIPATION 

The Holiday Shopping Spree organized by the Orlando Magic extends to different Boys and Girls Clubs across Central Florida. It’s been an annual tradition for the past 17 years, and this was the first year the West Orange Boys and Girls Club was selected. 

“For us it means the Magic care,” Akins said. “They care about the community. They care about our future leaders.” 

Giving back to the community is exactly why the Orlando Magic host the Christmas event. Da Silva is a new member of the Magic’s team and said it brought him joy to share a special moment with the kids and being able to give back to the community who supports the team. 

Akins was glad his club was chosen for the 17th annual event. He didn’t know who selected them, but he expressed his thanks to whoever put it all together. In his eyes, it was important for the children to meet the basketball players who went through high school and college to reach their dreams. 

“These kids get to walk through a store with someone they see on television,” he said. “Someone who accomplished so much. That’s life-changing.”

Many of the children who participated in the shopping spree have never been given money to freely spend. They also can’t always count on gifts being under the tree on Christmas. This was their opportunity to have that, but the celebration extended far beyond the thought of gifts. 

Leading up to the day, Akins couldn’t wait to see how all of his kids would react to meeting the players. He thought they would be shell shocked at the height of the NBA stars. 

Brunson was thrilled for the chance to meet Orlando Magic players. The 7-year-old played basketball on the junior Magic team and always has loved the sport. He said being able to get a new ball will help him practice more and become a better player in the long run. 

Zaria Davis said she would tell all her friends she received an autograph and picture from the basketball stars.

When Banchero and da Silva arrived for the shopping spree, Davis completed her wish. Davis ran up to the players and shook da Silva’s hand, while her friend recorded the interaction in the background. 

Shopping with her friends was an added bonus to Davis’ experience. She said it’s more fun, and the friendships are her favorite part of being in the Boys and Girls Club. To share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with them meant a lot to her. 

Davis’ dream was to buy a mannequin. She already knows she wants to become a stylist someday and with a mannequin she could begin to practice her skills. 

“They don’t realize how much $100 really is,” Akins said. “When you’re 7 years old, $100 sounds like $100,000.” 

Akins reminded Brunson of the amount of money he had. He suggested Brunson also purchase a ball pump, maybe a mini hoop. Brunson grinned as he slowly realized the two hours in the store meant he could do more than just grab one item and walk out. He did just that and returned from the store with a bag full with a basketball and other sports equipment.

Being given money to go shopping is a wonderful experience but it’s also an important learning lesson for the children, Akins said. 

“It’s a teaching moment,” Akins said. “Sharing, thinking about family and thinking about others.” 

Both Brunson and Davis already thought of their family members. Davis wanted to get her little sister a doll and she felt special being able to give her sibling something for the first time. 

“It makes me happy,” Davis said. “She’s going to be so happy.”