PHOENIX (AZFamily) — More than 300 Arizona children facing personal and financial challenges received a holiday shopping spree Saturday morning at a north Phoenix Target store.

The event was held at the Target store in the Desert Ridge Marketplace. Each child was escorted around the store where they were able to spend $300-350 on anything they wanted, including toys, clothes and books. Santa was there to help out.

Many of the children who went shopping are from Phoenix’s UMOM Center, which helps struggling families get back on their feet. Other kids are with Friends of the Children, a youth mentoring program for young people facing challenges.

The shopping spree was organized by the non-profit Executive Council Charities, which helps fund youth programs across the Valley.

“This event

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