It must have been something to see in the middle of the day at the Target Superstore in Myrtle Beach, 86 all-star football players leading 44 elementary school children around the store on a holiday shopping spree.
It certainly impressed one local resident.
“I can’t think of a nicer thing than what I just saw,” says the shopper, who asked to be referred to only as John. “Especially seeing those young men, how strong looking they were, and how happy the kids’ faces were.”
The players, selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium on Saturday, interrupted their week of practice to help deserving kids from Myrtle Beach Elementary and Myrtle Beach Primary schools.
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.
As for John, who came into the store in search of a backscratcher, found a cause he could back. He connected with electric cooperative officials and committed to donating money to next year’s shopping spree.
1 of 9
Therman, a student at Myrtle Beach Primary School, got a ride through the Target Superstore on a shopping spree sponsored by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. Therman got help from two Touchstone Energy Bowl players, including Chapin’s Brady Albro.
Photo by Travis Bell
2 of 9
Robert Stevens of Greenwood High School (middle) and Mandrell Sanders of Hampton County High (right) will be on opposing sides at the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, but as Stevens says, “kids bring people together.” The two all-stars teamed up to help a deserving student from Myrtle Beach Elementary spend his $150 gift card at Target.
Photo by Travis Bell
3 of 9
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl North squad player Joshaun Knuckles of Powdersville High School, sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, helps Raegyn from Myrtle Beach Primary School during the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shopping spree. The event gives deserving children the opportunity to shop for much-needed items with the support of high school football players.
Photo by Travis Bell
4 of 9
A young boy selects holiday items during the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shopping spree. Horry County students shopped with North and South squad players using $150 Target gift cards.
Photo by Travis Bell
5 of 9
South squad player Will Codding of Beaufort High School gives a thumbs-up as Eiden tries on a new coat.
Photo by Travis Bell
6 of 9
The players share a moment of teamwork and fun while helping Eiden find the perfect fit as North squad player Mason Pickett-Hicks of South Pointe High School (right), sponsored by York Electric Cooperative, helps select a new pair of shoes.
Photo by Travis Bell
7 of 9
A shopping spree and a TV interview? That deserves a high five. Journalist Ashely Listrom spoke with one of the students from Myrtle Beach Elementary for WNBF News.
Photo by Travis Bell
8 of 9
Aiden beams with excitement during the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl shopping spree as he holds his new toy and wears his new hat, with North squad player Daniel Caldwell of Northwestern High School by his side.
Photo by Travis Bell
9 of 9
What do you get when you add 86 high school football all-stars, 44 deserving local elementary school students, each with a $150 from South Carolina’s electric cooperatives? Lots of smiles and 44 huge bags of Christmas wishes.
Photo by Travis Bell