Some of the best high school football players in South Carolina put down their pads in order to push a red cart. All-stars participating in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl teamed up with 44 deserving students from Myrtle Beach Elementary School for a Christmas shopping spree at a local Target store. Each student was given a $150 gift card and a player from each team—North and South—to help them find items on their list. The shopping spree is a part of the week-long Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl experience, sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives.
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Gionna Burgess says she enjoyed shopping with her “big brothers for the day”—Carolina Forest offensive lineman Phil McLean and Hillcrest linebacker Jy’Savion Leake—who helped her find her favorite toy, a Barbie doll. McLean says it has been an honor to able to give back to his community and build a “brotherhood throughout the state.”
Photo by Travis Bell
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Spring Valley defensive back Devan Crumpton (left) and South Florence offensive lineman Justin Joe helped Jayden Monroe find his fit with a few jackets. The total was above the gift card amount they were provided so Crumpton made up the difference with his own money. “I felt like he deserved it,” says Crumpton.
Photo by Travis Bell
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Ramya Stephens found some socks to match her braids.
Photo by Travis Bell
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It’s not all toys and games. Many of the shopping lists include essential items like the t-shirts Ka’von Chisolm (left) of Hampton County High and Mikhelyn Bowie of Abbeville High helped Rjon Dunn pick out.
Photo by Travis Bell
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Lily Davis made quick work of her shopping trip even though she said her all-star duo didn’t have any fashion sense. “She was faster than some of quarterbacks I’ve had to chase,” says Dutch Fork defensive end Terrance Wells.
Photo by Travis Bell
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Karina Owens gets a high five from Kartrell Townsend as they wait to check out.
Photo by Travis Bell
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It was hard to tell who had a better time, Allison Fores or C.J. Dixon of South Pointe High. Dixon says Flores made the experience fun because of her personality. “She’s blunt, she says what she thinks,” says Dixon.
Photo by Travis Bell
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Brannon Teamer of Dorman helped Niveon Small find a drone for his niece and nephew. “Being with these kids lightens your heart,” says Teamer.
Photo by Travis Bell
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Jayden Benjamin of Dillon High and C.J. Dixon of South Pointe High get a fist bump from one of the Target associates. Target HR manager Angela Jenerette says the staff always look forward to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl Shopping Spree. “It really brings a lot of joy to our store and to our community,” she says.
Photo by Travis Bell