By Chad Klassen

Young girl with cerebral palsy scores huge haul of toys during shopping spree in Kamloops

Jul 9, 2018 | 12:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — Savanna Morris lives with cerebral palsy and autism, but for three minutes on Monday morning, she felt like any other little girl, taking part in a once-in-a-life shopping spree at the Toys ‘R’ Us location in Kamloops. 

The 9 year old and her family from Penticton was chosen by the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Savanna had a team of helpers, including mom Nicole and dad Mike, as well as her three siblings. 

“I don’t know. I think it’s pretty good of a time,” said Savanna prior to the shopping spree about the three-minute limit.

After a 30-second test run, Savanna and the team was ready to go, starting a mad dash to get her hands on anything. At the end of the three minutes, they filled eight carts full of toys, and Savanna got the karaoke machine she’s always wanted. 

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“She really likes karaoke and doing independent things, so it’s great for her to have things she’s happy about that she can do,” said Nicole. 

Monday’s joyous day was all made possible thanks to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which helps bring joy to children dealing with illnesses. 

“We do adaptive boating, adaptive skiing. We get those families out there. They need to get out there. They need to know that they can do anything,” said Captain Starlight, the foundation’s mascot who was cheering Savanna on all morning. 

Toys ‘R’ Us partners with Starlight, and through customer donations and company contributions were able to arrange 10 shopping sprees across the country, including the one in Kamloops. 

“To see these children have a moment in time that brings joy is really what the purpose of our company is,” said the President of Toys ‘R’ Us & Babies ‘R’ Us Canada Melanie Teed-Murch. “Almost $2 million a year is what we donate to Starlight and it’s really because Canadians choose to shop with us and we donate back.”

For Savanna’s family, watching her have so much fun through all her mobility challenges is what it’s all about.

“As a parent that’s all you ask for for your kids is just for them to be happy, and this opportunity definitely did that,” said Savanna’s dad Mike.