More than 50 children got a dose of the holiday spirit early this year, with a little help from Penn State students and the Centre County United Way.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, 51 student volunteers were paired with needy children and sent on a shopping spree for school clothes.

Now in its fifth year of service, Jeans for Teens, a charity benefiting children between the ages of 9 and 15, helps make needy children's holiday season a little warmer.

Judith Vicary, professor emerita of biobehavioral health, said she started the program to target children at a particularly "vulnerable" age.

"Children in their pre-teen years are at a time in their lives when the direction for the rest of their lives is being decided, and fitting in with decent clothes can help so much," she said.

Vicary said there is a great deal of poverty throughout Centre County.

"Christmas can be bleak for a lot of kids. Although Toys for Tots takes care of younger children, this is the only project targeting this special age group," she said.

What started out as a service-learning project for students studying adolescent health and behavior in Vicary's class has grown each year to help more and more needy youngsters.

The Penn State "shopping buddies" were each provided a $100 gift certificate from participating stores.

The stores then matched each certificate by donating an additional $25.

Before meeting with the children, students attending a training session were encouraged to get the most for their money by hitting the sales racks first for the best bargains.

After the children finished shopping, the purchases were taken by students to be wrapped.

The Youth Service Bureau will drop off the gifts at the children's homes on Christmas Eve.

For Vicary, the connection forged between the students and the children is the most important part of the program.

"It is a great feeling for these young kids to spend time with someone who could be like a big brother or sister. It makes the day that much more special. It's magic when it happens. The magic is the Penn State students," she said.

The children in need are not the only ones who benefit from Jeans for Teens.

The students donating their time found the experience rewarding also.

Evan Pattishall (sophomore-education) found out about Jeans for Teens through the Student United Way and decided to help because it needed volunteers.

"It was just one day out of the week but it really is a big deal for the kids, and they are really appreciative of it. They'll be glad to have a few more Christmas gifts and some nice clothes to wear for next year," he said.

NicQuwesha Toliver (freshman-accounting) got involved through the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team.

"I love kids and I love shopping, so I put two and two together. The girl I was paired with was so cute, she liked everything we picked out," Toliver said.

The biggest limitation for the program is the amount of money available. However, as word spreads more people are willing to help.

"One man in New Jersey heard about the program and sent a check for $500.

At a football game, someone from Philadelphia heard about the program.

He went back to his company and asked that it donate as a secret Santa.

"When people hear about the program, they want to contribute," Vicary said.

For both children and students, Jeans for Teens makes the holiday season a little brighter.

"It's the simplest, most magical thing," Vicary said.