CityView Magazine

58 | November/December • 2014 B lack Friday is the unofficial holiday when many Ameri- cans gather their friends and family for a day of adven- ture and shopping. Packing their leover anksgiving turkey sandwiches, they embark on an action-packed journey to outlet malls, department stores and discount retailers. Whether consumers are shopping the sales for Christmas gis or new elec- tronics, Black Friday is one of America's most successful days of retail and, ac- cording to CNN Money 2013, draws in over $12.3 billion in sales. Although Black Friday is a successful event for retailers, it does not have the best reputation in media and the eyes of Americans. e cycle of greed, impa- tience and violence plague this day of discounts. ere are frightening stories of customers being trampled and physical fights over the last 55-inch TV, but it is important that we recognize the shining stars of this oen-dark holiday. One woman who braves the endless lines and flying elbows to help elder and impaired customers, is Brianna Magaña - known by many as the "Black Friday Super Hero." "I'm not a super hero," Brianna said as she humbly smiled while looking down. Like many other super heroes, she denied her ability to aide the public and excuses it as a rightful duty: being a Good Samaritan. She explained, "It was more about doing something nice, it was about do- ing something good while everyone else was in it for themselves." With crazy costumes and a pinch of panache, it seems that Black Friday does in fact have a guardian of the night. By tayloR aUBe "once the doors opened, we would grab a cart and run for the big stuff like tvs and game consoles. We would then hand out the items to elderly people and families who were in the back of the line." e tradition started nine years ago in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. when Brianna and her best friend were 16-years-old. "It was when we first got our cars. We would be the first ones in a line of 200 people. Once the doors opened, we would grab a cart and run for the big stuff like TVs and game consoles. We would then hand out the items to elderly people and families who were in the back of the line." It was their way of sharing the holiday spirit with complete strangers and as best friends. Brianna recalls the first time she truly touched someone's heart. "ere was a flustered old lady rummaging through bins of electronics. I asked her what she was looking for and the woman said she was searching for a clock radio to give her son for Christmas." Lo and behold Brianna had grabbed one during her pursuit around the store. "When I pulled out the clock radio and gave it to her, she was so grateful. It was amazing to see how genuinely happy she was." Ever since that moment, Brianna and her best friend made it a tradition to spread joy and holiday spirit through random acts of kindness. "Our response to everyone's gratitude was, 'Happy Christmas!'" "We would overhear people begging sales associates to check the back for the last digital camera. We would walk around certain departments to see who was looking for what. Aer listening and figuring out what they were searching for, we would go up to them and present the item and say, 'is is for you!' e look Specializing in private and small group classes of Yoga, Pilates, Piyo, Yoga Therapy and Thai Massage Located at McPherson Church Square Shopping Center 201 S McPherson Church Rd. Fayetteville NC 434-409-6415 www.LiviNgbaLaNCeSTudioSNC.CoM LiviNg baLaNCe — STudioS — The "Spa" WorkouT experience ONSTAGE NOW AT CFRT... THE BLUEST EYE October 30-November 16, 2014 The best christmas pageant ever December 11-21, 2014 The santaland diaries December 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2014 Holiday Gift Tickets on Sale Now! Buy online at www.cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233

• Cover