(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It’s barely August, but 18 San Bernardino children and teenagers are ready to go back to school in style, with help from The Salvation Army and Target.
These 18 children participated in Target’s “Back to School Shopping Spree” at the 499 W. Orange Show Road Target in San Bernardino. This nationwide event was held Tuesday, July 26 at Targets nationwide.
The Salvation Army selects needy families for the “Back to School Shopping Spree.” Each school-age child within that family is partnered with a Salvation Army volunteer, who receives a gift card to pay for back-to-school clothes and supplies.
The gift cards given to the San Bernardino volunteers were $85 each.
“It is an awesome experience,” said Major Stephen Ball, corps officer of the Salvation Army’s San Bernardino Corps. “The employees at Target are wonderful and helpful. The children are excited about the opportunity to get new clothes.”
“I got shirts, shorts, and pants, and hair ribbons, and another shirt,” said a very excited 7-year-old Ashley. “I got shoes and socks and skinny jeans. It was so much fun and now I can go back to school!”
Older children were also smiling as they looked over their selections, which included back-to-school outfits, shoes, socks and underwear, backpacks and supplies from Target’s paper and pencil aisle. Every child had at least one complete outfit, and some of the younger children had two or three.
In San Bernardino, the “Back to School Shopping Spree” benefited children between the ages of 6 and 18. The oldest shopper this year, 18-year-old Daman, begins classes at San Bernardino Valley College on Aug. 15, and would not have been so enthusiastic about it if the Salvation Army had not helped him buy new clothes.
“It is a very good thing, because I would have had to wear the same thing every day without their help,” Daman said.
The volunteers ranged in age from 11 to senior citizens. They included a number of people who in the past have received services from the Salvation Army, including one mother whose own three children were among those participating in the 2010 Back to School Spree.
“I have been helping the Salvation Army ever since last year,” Jennifer said. “The help they provided me was much appreciated. It’s hard for many families to buy the things their kids need to go back to school.”
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org <http://www.salvationarmyusa.org> or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.