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CROSS RIVER, N.Y. John Jay High School senior Danielle Schoen raced excitedly through the aisles of National Wholesale Liquidators in Yonkers last weekend, filling up the three carts provided by store manager Rivander Singh with toys, electronics, clothes, sports equipment and stuffed animals.
No, Schoen hadnt won some shopping spree sweepstakes. Thanks to a donation from the store, she was gathering gifts for 10 young boys who reside at The Childrens Village, a foster care facility in Dobbs Ferry where she is a mentor.
Schoen has been a school-based mentor for the boys in the Rose Cottage at The Childrens Village for a year and a half. She visits with them every Tuesday to read and play games. This year, she decided she was going to make their Christmas extra special and reached out to retailers in the community with the hope of getting donations. Scott Rosen, CEO of National Wholesale Liquidators, stepped up to assist and gave Schoen three carts and the green light to make it happen.
"These boys have been through unimaginably difficult times, so having the opportunity to give them gifts and make this Christmas a special one is so wonderful, said Schoen. "I am so grateful to National Wholesale Liquidators for donating all these gifts. Now I am sure the kids will have the Christmas that they deserve."
Rosen, who has also helped mentor children in the foster care system, said he was happy to help Schoen with her mission.
The holiday season is about giving and I am thrilled to see Danielles compassion for these boys and be a part of making their Christmas memorable, he said.
The Childrens Villages mission is to work in partnership with families to help societys most vulnerable children so that they become educationally proficient, economically productive and socially responsible members of their communities. Schoen said working as a mentor there has been one of the best experiences shes had in high school.
Spending time with the boys every Tuesday brightens my week, she said. Seeing kids who have so little, but are so full of joy, really puts things in perspective for me. I love being able to bring some happiness to their lives."
To get information on making a donation or becoming a mentor at The Children's Village visit www.childrensvillage.org.
National Wholesale Liquidators is a family-owned-and-operated company, founded by Eva Rosen in 1984. They operate 10 stores in the New York metro area.
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