The Salvation Army & Target help send kids back to school
On August 11th, Target and The Salvation Army joined together to give families the opportunity to start the school year off right.
Target donated 200 gift cards worth $100 each to kids affiliated with Salvation Army community centers in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Newburgh, White Plains, New Rochelle, and Blue Point.
Many of the children who went on the shopping spree were included because they had a parent who had recently become unemployed, or because their families had requested emergency assistance from The Salvation Army for rent, utilities, or clothing.
"We started to get calls for back-to-school help as early as June," said Envoy Charles Roberts, Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Suffolk County. Envoy Roberts said he had received hundreds of requests for help regarding school supplies, but worked hard to select the kids who needed help the most.
"We are all grateful for being picked," said Karminita Sammer of Ridge, NY, whose children Malik, 8, and Newayione, 6, participated in the event. "When the kids feel good, the parents feel good."
By the end of the shopping trip, the kids' arms were laden with red and white bags filled with new sweaters, jeans, notebooks, backpacks, and shoes.
While displaying a new plaid skirt and matching sweater, Jada, age 6, commented that she would be "the prettiest girl on the first day of school."
Target made Tuesday morning a treat for kids outside New York as well. In fact, 2,000 kids across the country benefited from the shopping spree. Target has held this event for the past 5 years, involving 80 of its store in cities like Minneapolis, Detroit, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
The Greater New York Division looks forward to working with Target again next year on this exciting endeavor.