Each year across the nation, children start or return to school- many of these children do so with no school supplies, old clothes, and a sense of not fitting in.
Active 20-30’s national project is a back to school shopping event to help underprivileged children start the school year off with the tools necessary for success. Petaluma Active 20-30 #30, Active 20-30 Sebastopol #63, and Active 20-30 of the North Bay #656 work together each year to take children from our respective communities on this back to school shopping spree.
Each child is partnered with an Active 20-30 personal shopper with $160 to spend on clothes, shoes and jackets for the start of the school year. With early bird specials, clearance racks and an additional 15% off at the cash register at Kohl’s in Petaluma, we are able to provide these children with an ample amount of quality clothing that will last them throughout the school year.
When shopping is complete with each child they then have the opportunity to get their haircut by a volunteer hair stylist. Once the new clothes have been purchased and a new haircut has been provided, the children can enjoy a delicious breakfast. The children are also given a brand new backpack full of school supplies including crayons, colored markers, paper, pencils, erasers, rulers, tape, binders and more!
Throughout the year Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63, Active 20-30 Club of the North Bay #656 and Petaluma Active 20-30 #30 raise money specifically for our annual Children's Shopping Spree. With the help of our friends and family members, we all get the chance to take local underprivileged children back to school clothes shopping. This is a special hands on event, where each volunteer gets paired up with a child and takes him/her shopping. Most of the children we take have never owned a new pair of shoes or clothing, so it is heartwarming to see their smiles as they walk out of the store with bags of NEW clothes! They are able to head off to school with much needed self confidence, so they are ready to learn and grow to their fullest potential! Please save the date, spread the word and be there! Thank you!
PLEASE NOTE: This event is for volunteers only. If you are interested in having your child(ren) participate in the event please contact the club that represents the city in which you reside.