For the past two months, someone has been monitoring the behavior and academic progress of students at the Bethlehem Center’s Read to Lead After-School Program in order to reward them with a Christmas shopping spree. That person is not Santa.
Rachel DeVore, educational coordinator of The Bethlehem Center, monitors the attendance, academic progress, and behavior of students in the Bethlehem Center’s after-school program on a point system that she turns into Christmas cash. Then on Monday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., students will be able to purchase Christmas gifts with their earnings for themselves and their families at the Walmart on Cummings Highway. It is anticipated 60 students ranging from ages 5-14 will participate.
“Students in the Read to Lead after-school program work so hard all year,” said Ms. DeVore. “This is an opportunity to see those deserving students reap the rewards of all that hard work.”
Students will earn between $25 - $100 and they will be able to spend their earnings based upon the following guidelines established by The Bethlehem Center:
· 50% on what the student wants
· 30% on what the student needs
· 20% to purchase gifts for others
Adult volunteers are invited to serve as the students’ personal shoppers to assist them with this special shopping spree.