More than 200 needy children were on hand Saturday morning at the Colonies Crossroads Shopping Center in Upland as part of its 17th annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event, where  they were awarded $200 gift certificates to Kohl’s, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods to do holiday shopping for loved ones and themselves.

“Today is very important because it’s a day to have that Christmas spirit and be able to give that joy to a child in our community,” said Kendra Miller, a National CORE volunteer.

Nine-year-old Mariah Miller shops for fragrances at Kohl’s during Saturday’s 17th annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Jeffrey Burum, National CORE founder and managing partner of Colonies Crossroads, said the annual event benefits families in need, which are chosen at random.

“Today is the day, obviously, where business owners like us get a chance to give back to people that are less fortunate,” Burum said. “It’s not about what we do; it’s about what we want to inspire others to do. So we are here to inspire the kids. We’re here to make a difference in this world.”

Burum said he could see himself in the children being served Saturday morning.

“I was one of these kids once,” he said. “And so, what I’ve always believed, it’s not how you start life; it’s like monopoly: it’s how you finish the game. And so what we want to do is give these kids an opportunity to believe that they can finish the game better than they got unfortunately started.”

More than 700 volunteers help put on the event, which included a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast by the Upland Fire Department, photos with Santa Claus, greetings with public safety employees, tours of an Upland Police Department armored vehicle and a San Bernardino County Fire Department fire engine, a crafts corner, carolers, face painting, and a distribution of groceries, coupons, and Christmas trees.

(L-R) Eric Miller and Kendra Miller of National CORE help 6-year-old Lori Love shop for toys at Target during Saturday’s 17th annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“There’s advantages to kids that grow up like I did,” Burum said. “You get tougher, you learn you have to work harder, you don’t have other people you can count on. Today’s a day I want them to know they can count on us.”

The children came from 12 Inland Empire organizations, including House of Ruth, Upland Unified School District, Hope through Housing, Upland Housing, OPARC, Eagles Wings, Pacific Lifeline, Children’s Fund, Children’s Hope, Haynes Family of Programs, Foothill Family Shelter, and YMCA of Upland.