Macy’s and the Unstoppable Girls Foundation has joined forces to give local families in need the opportunity to shop for the holidays.

Newark resident Elaine Lott is one of 25 mothers who were chosen to receive a holiday shopping spree at Macy’s Backstage in West Orange.

“I’m overjoyed and I’m overwhelmed because I’m a mom of five and this helps us” Lott says.

The families were chosen from the Newark Emergency Services for Families.

“They’ve been able to come and shop for themselves, for their children and to be able to receive gifts for themselves that they otherwise wouldn’t have,” says NESF executive director Amina Bey.

Each mother received a Macy's Backstage gift card worth $100 and access to free virtual workshops focused on empowering women. The event was made possible through a $5,000 donation from Macy's.

"It was a lot of fun to help the kids out today to pick their L.O.L dolls or Baby’s Alive - everything that they're looking for,” says Macy’s Backstage director Niki Dilworth.

Unstoppable Girls Foundation founder Caryl Lucas says that watching the families shop brought tears to her eyes.

“It just gives me hope that there’s still love in the world and there’s also the power of giving,” Lucas says.

Dilworth says that she rings a bell each time a customer at Macy’s makes a donation.

“Our store cheers it on,” she says.

It is a way to celebrate customers giving back during the holiday season.