Written by Buccaneer Scroll Staff Reporter Hayden Soley

During the wonderful times of the year, it’s Allatoona’s privilege to serve our community in any way that it can. One of the most celebrated events that we manage has always been Shop With A Buc, where our students take the Little Bucs out to shop for their holiday celebrations at Target. However, with the hardships of the pandemic, it will be difficult for SWAB to operate like it usually does. But this won’t stop Allatoona from continuing their decade-long tradition of helping our Little Bucs have a magical day.

This year SWAB will be orchestrated in a parade route, and families will not need to leave their vehicle for the event. Our Little Bucs and their family will enter the parade route on the gym side of the school and will be greeted by our Chorus singing carols. Each Little Buc will be announced when they arrive and will be treated with Hot Cocoa at the first station. Next, they will proceed to the goody bag station, where they will receive a bag full of goodies made by Key Club and NHS. They will also receive an ornament of their picture with Santa to hang on their tree as well. Then, the Little Bucs will continue to the sweatshirt station, where they will be able to show their Buc pride with an Allatoona Bucs Hoodie. The Allatoona Fiddlers will also be at this station playing music, and our students, Santa’s elves, are expected to sing along joyfully like if they were on the bus to Target. Finally, they will arrive at the cafeteria side where Santa and his Reindeer or Elves will come to their car to snap a picture with our Little Buc’s family. Families will also receive a meal kit made by our Allatoona Mentors and a Target Gift Card before they exit out the front of the school.

Though this SWAB will look much different from past SWABs, it shouldn’t stop the Elves from going all out on their Holiday outfits or spirit. This year’s goal is said best by the advisor to HELM, Dr. Jennifer Dorrough. She stated, “Our goal is that our student mentors, as well as Allatoona faculty, are celebrating these kids and their families continuously throughout the route. The message that I really need to make sure is received by our students is that this is not our typical SWAB due to COVID, but we still need to make it special for our Little Bucs and their families – we need to shower them with love and attention!” SWAB will begin at 9 a.m. on December 12th, and all the students participating are bringing their A-game.