It made no difference that it was 8:00 a.m. and 30 degrees outside. As the doors of the mall were unlocked, hundreds of students from all over the county rushed in to take their seats and await further instructions.

On Dec. 1, the Greensboro Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities hosted the twenty-sixth annual Shoppers’ Day at the Four Seasons Mall. Shopper’s Day volunteers provide assistance to people with disabilities while they cross off items on their holiday shopping list.

“The committee’s mission is to provide a barrier-free environment,” said Donna Gray, a member of the GMCPD who has helped organized the event for the past eleven years. “We’re trying to make everyone aware of all the attitudes and stereotypes (towards people with disabilities).”

Gray welcomed the overwhelming crowd of students, most of whom were still half asleep, which filled the amphitheater at the center of the mall.

In her opening remarks, Gray said that a typical person with disabilities has about $60 a month to spend on personal items, so the committee raises money for each shopper to receive a $10 coupon to spend anywhere in the mall.

“We know it isn’t much,” said Gray, “but it helps.”

While students waited for the shoppers to arrive, the Hand Bell Choir from Bell House, a residential facility for people with cerebral palsey, provided some entertainment by accompanying their skills to songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Feliz Navidad.”

The MCPD also provided a workshop to inform students how they should interact with their shopper if they were blind or deaf. Although they welcomed anyone willing to help, the GMCPD wanted to make sure the volunteers acted appropriately with their shoppers.

This event would not have been a success if it were not for the volunteers. Gray said that around 360 volunteers had registered and that many more would show up to help the estimated 280 shoppers, most of whom came from the Bell House residential facility.

More than 12 schools and organizations showed up to volunteer, including Page High School, Eastern Guilford High School, Southern Guilford High School, and North Carolina A&T.

The contingent from Guilford’s Bonner Center for Community Learning, led by program coordinator Terrell Elizabeth Balof-Bird, helped represent Guilford.

Bird had some trouble finding volunteers because of class schedules but said it was a great opportunity for those who came to serve the community.

“It’s important for students to get out of the ‘Guilford Bubble’ and realize that they are not the only people living and working and studying in Greensboro,” said Bird. “It’s also important for students to realize that they all have the ability to help and serve others and be good role models to the youth.”

Among those Guilford students was first-year Rachel Howard, who was excited to participate for the first time.

“It was gratifying and exciting to know that I could help my shopper buy presents for their friends and family,” said Howard. “Just to witness those exciting moments of joy made my day absolutely perfect.”

Each shopper was assigned to one or two helpers to spend the day with, though Howard was lucky enough to spend time with just one man.

“When we were picking out presents we (talked about) what we wanted for Christmas and what our family traditions were during this season,” said Howard. “My shopper would get so excited to talk about what he would get on Christmas.”

Howard said she definitely plans to volunteer again next year.

“It gets students involved and provides helpful information about the disabled,” said Howard. “This is a great chance for community involvement and a great experience to start the Christmas season.”

The mall also did a lot to help the event. They opened their doors two hours earlier than normal so volunteers could get in and they even set aside an empty store to set up food and drinks for the shoppers and volunteers. Although the mall did everything they could to help, Bird pointed out a flaw when she has volunteered in the past.

“Hanging out with someone in a wheelchair does make you realize how there are not enough elevators in the mall,” said Bird. “It really makes you realize just how much you take for granted as a fully-abled individual.”

The goal of the MCPD was to create awareness about disabilities and provide an opportunity for people to volunteer and help someone in need.

“If a volunteer comes away from this experience learning only one thing, we’ve done our job,” said Gray.