TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Nearly two dozen Thomas County children thought they were coming to Tallahassee this weekend for the trampoline park, but instead, they got a trip to the mall to buy what they wanted for Christmas.

Children in the Joshua’s Promise after-school program had a spending limit of $230 thanks to the Virgil Lee Family Foundation.

Joshua’s Promise Co-founder Dondell Green loves spreading the holiday spirit.

“What makes me happy is to see the kids happy,” Green said. “When we told them they were going on a shopping spree and the limit was kind of high, they just got into awe.”

Younger children spent their $230 getting toys from Walmart, while the older children spent their money at Governor’s Square Mall.

The Lee family gives back to Joshua’s Promise each year, but Abby Lee said this was their first time taking the kids shopping.

“Seeing all their smiles is really the best part of it,” Lee said. “Every time we do it, it feels just as special as the last, if not more special.”

Lee said the foundation was created in honor of their grandfather, Virgil Lee.

“His favorite holiday, by far, was Christmas, and he always just wanted to bring joy on people’s faces,” Lee said.

This year, 21 children from Joshua’s Promise got to experience that joy.

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