In an event organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County, Blue Shield of California employees stepped up to stepped up to provide a place for breakfast, a staging area and security for each of 200 children to go on a $200 shopping spree at Target. Local businesses and the local district attorney, Vern Pierson and his wife, Cyndee, raised more than $40,000 for the kids to spend on essential items and and a Christmas gift for themselves. The event was staffed by volunteers from the local fire, police and other first responders.
Watch a local television station's coverage of the event: