ChildSpree clothes kids for school

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Volunteer Maria Guzman, program support facilitator with the Centralized Eligibility List of Kern, gave Naomi Mitchell a helping hand picking out clothes during ChildSpree.

Quite a scene seeing 248 Kern County children shopping on July 19 during the Back to School Mervyns' ChildSpree at the California and East Hills Mall Mervyn's stores in Bakersfield. Every year for 16 years Mervyn's has given children who might not otherwise be able to shop for new school clothes an opportunity to do so. Major financial sponsors who contributed matching funds with Mervyn’s were Community Connection for Child Care Foundation, Bakersfield Active 20/30 club, West Bakersfield Rotary Club, Tejon Ranch, CASA and Youth Connections.

The Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC) was one of the contributing volunteer agencies, as it has been for many years. Volunteers helped children pick age appropriate clothes during the shopping spree that matched the funds available for spending. Joining with CCCC were Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Youth Connections, HEARTS Connection, Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL), Sheriff's Activities League (SAL) and the Boys and Girls Club. 

Each child received breakfast provided by McDonald's and a backpack filled with school supplies from Mervyn's and the 20/30 Club. The Bakersfield Fire Department talked with children at the California Avenue store about fire safety and gave them a chance to see fire trucks up close.  

Something new this year was the First 5 Kern, First 5 California, Kern County Public Health Department and Bakersfield Police Department health fair which included immunizations and dental screenings, car seat safety, growth charts for children and information about the Public Health Department's "fight the bite" campaign which aims to prevent West Nile virus.

“This event is a great example of what can be achieved when groups come together to help families,” said CCCC Program Manager Kerri Jones. “Our goal is help these children have a positive experience as they prepare to start school in August.”

 


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