More stories of the good work being done in South Florida amid the pandemic.

A yearly tradition for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties could not be detoured this holiday season as five Macy’s department stores recently hosted almost 100 “Littles” for its annual Holiday Shopping Experience.

Providing a VIP shopping experience and gift cards, several local Macy’s locations invited the nonprofits’ children into its doors before the store opened with associates on hand to help them pick out their gifts.

Before the shopping spree, “Littles” were treated to a breakfast, snacks, goodie bags and festive reindeer antlers. The Macy’s locations that participated included Wellington Green, Boynton Beach, The Gardens, Boca Town Center and Treasure Coast Square.

“It’s become a tradition now, they’ve done it for many years,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. “Through their grant program, they allow the kids actually at five Macy’s locations in Palm Beach and Treasure Coast to go visit the store before it’s open ...

Then, they get a gift card to go shopping in the store, and the colleagues that are there help them choose a gift for whoever they’re looking for that day.”

Despite COVID-19 playing a factor, the annual event overcame a few obstacles, adjusting to the new norms presented by the pandemic.

“It was very different. It was much shorter,” Flores Acevedo said. “Normally, they have gift-wrapping stations and card-making stations. So, this year it was much shorter, socially-distanced and masks were mandatory.”

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BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF PALM BEACH AND MARTIN COUNTIES / COURTESY Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties partnered with Macy’s once again for its annual Holiday Shopping Experience. Macy’s Wellington Green senior director/store manager Leslie Adametz, Cortney McMenamin and Samantha Reitz welcomed the children to the store.