Local children ecstatic over shopping spree

KIWANIS, DEPARTMENT STORE TEAM UP TO GET KIDS SCHOOL CLOTHES

By Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Published August 8, 2010, in Redlands Daily Facts
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_15705022

REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA—For 9-year-old Audrey Lee and her sister Elizabeth, 7, the excitement of back-to-school shopping Friday morning was almost too much to contain.

"I'm getting my clothes!" Audrey yelled as she bounced up and down waiting for Kohl's department store in Redlands to open.

Elizabeth, with her big sister's arm over her shoulders, was all smiles as she imagined what she would buy.

"I want to buy shirts and pants and shoes and socks," Elizabeth said.

"And skirts and dresses," Audrey added.

"It's like I'm rich, it's like I'm a queen," Elizabeth said as she walked off with her shopping partner, a member of the Redlands Noon Kiwanis Club.

Audrey and Elizabeth were two of 50 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands chosen to take part in the annual Kohl's ChildSpree, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. The club donated $5,000 so 50 kids could each have a $100 shopping spree, said Kiwanian George Barich, chairman of the Youth Service Committee.

"The main point is to get clothes and they get a backpack," said Boys & Girls Club Site Director Diego Contreras. "They team up with a volunteer (from Kiwanis Club)- they're not allowed to shop with their parents because this is all about kids. They get to get whatever it is they want, because the main purpose of this is to do something for the kids."

Each kid paired up with a Kiwanian and hit the store before 7 a.m. Kohl's opened early and let the shoppers have the run of the floor, where some looked for bargains and others mere style.
"These clothes are very beautiful, especially this one," 6-year-old Erin Silva said while holding up a denim skirt decorated with a ribbon belt and rhinestones. "I'm excited to go back to school now - I want everybody to see my new clothes."

Giving kids confidence to go back to school is one reason for the shopping spree, said Boys & Girls Clubs CEO P.T. McEwen

"We serve a lot of kids and about 75 percent of them are low income," McEwen said. "These are probably the neediest of the neediest. They get hand-me-downs and to have something that's new and their own is really fun. To have something that's new and their own is exciting and builds their self esteem when they get back to school."

The other reason for the spree: The 50 kids chosen need the new clothes and shoes.

"This way they get brand new clothes that they pick out," said noon Kiwanis Club President Jean Showalter. "We just think this is a good way to spend money in the community for kids who are not able to go back-to-school shopping."

Thirteen-year-old Juan Carlos Zaragosa said it is nice to begin the school year with clothes that fit well.

"The clothes that I have fit me kind of small," Juan said. "I need some new clothes I can grow into. I got some shoes, some shirts, pants, a belt."

Levi Soto, 11, got a whole outfit during his shopping spree.

"My first priority is shoes. I need at least one good pair of shoes," he said. "After that, I'll look at belts, then hats, then whatever else is left over is just for me."

Levi got all those things and a little more, thanks in part to store coupons and promotions.

"We try to time (the shopping spree) so the shopping is very valuable and they're able to get as much products as they can for their back to school shopping," said store manager Vanessa O'Donnell-Bernardo, who added that the kids each received 15 percent off, then an additional 10 percent off thanks to promotions. "We are really community-oriented and we believe this gives back to the community."

In addition to getting $100 worth of whatever they wanted from Kohl's, each kid received a new backpack, book, stuffed animal and breakfast.