For many local children, the annual back-to-school shopping trip
is but another depressing sign that the carefree summer days
quickly are coming to an end. But for the dozens of children
marching down the aisles at Mervyn
’s early Saturday morning, shopping for schools clothes was a
rare and welcome treat.
For many local children, the annual back-to-school shopping trip is but another depressing sign that the carefree summer days quickly are coming to an end. But for the dozens of children marching down the aisles at Mervyn’s early Saturday morning, shopping for schools clothes was a rare and welcome treat.
About 50 local children were given free reign to spend $100 on coats, clothes and shoes during the 13th annual Childspree Saturday. The annual event, hosted by Mervyn’s and the South Bay Alliance, gave the children from low-income families a chance to buy some new threads before school starts.
“This takes a load off of us,” said Amalia Rodriguez who brought her grandson. “It is just a blessing in disguise. Before, I told him he was going to get a few things and he said ‘OK, mom.’ Then we told him he gets to go shopping for a lot of stuff and he just got all excited. He talked about it all week.”
Though the program occurs nationwide, Morgan Hill’s event for local families largely is due to the efforts of Gina Six. Six took over organizing Morgan Hill’s Childspree three years ago after long-time organizer Ken Tougas died. Six had already been involved in the program for three years when she took over.
The students are selected from Morgan Hill School District rosters and Community Solutions, including the El Toro Youth Center and the Boccardo Family Living Center in San Martin. Six said South Bay Alliance will mail letters to students as donations allow.
Six said the best part of the day is watching the children come out after shopping and show their parents what they bought.
“When those kids come out beaming, that is the best feeling,” Six said. “You know they can go to school and feel better about themselves.”
Excitement filled the youngsters ranging from first to eighth grade and the enthusiasm rubbed off on the numerous volunteers who helped them choose their new clothing. Local volunteers met the children in the Mervyn’s parking lot at 7am Saturday. Mervyn’s opens two hours early for the event.
“It’s about helping children get what they want,” third-year volunteer Mitch Mariani, Jr. said. “It’s mainly seeing the kids who are truly deserving get a break and not worry about anything. It’s all about them.”
Mariani said while his family was never poverty stricken, he was limited as to how many new clothes he could buy.
“I empathize with these kids,” Mariani said. “When I was younger, there was not a lot of money and my parents concentrated more on education. For me, it was emotional too, seeing how happy the mother was when I brought her son out.”
Parents, who eagerly waited outside as their children went shopping, were just as happy and grateful as their children. When Ellen Sargenti left the store with 6-year-old Jesus, her job wasn’t over. She, along with Jesus and his mother, sat and went through bags full of new clothes.
While the mother beamed, her son was overjoyed, Sargenti said.
“The little boy was so proud,” Sargenti said. “We got to buy him a pair of shoes that light up. He was thrilled to death to have a pair of shoes that lit up.”
The program is designed to provide families help when they need it the most and allow children from poor families to be able to focus on their education instead of their clothing while attending school.
Teresa Villas recently moved to San Martin and has a son going into the first grade. She already has two children in high school and one in college.
“This is a lot of help for me,” Villas said. “I really hope this continues into next year.”
Heather Dillon, a single mother with a child in third grade, had her boss refer her to the program and said she was surprised when she got the phone call that her child could receive new clothes.
“I make sure there is food on the table, a roof overhead and all those other things to live,” Dillon said. “But this is such a blessing. I am so appreciative of all the volunteers. This is an incredible opportunity for parents with limited income to buy clothes, especially new ones.”
But while few could argue the benefits of the program, Childspree is limited to the amount of children it can help, Six said. In past years, Six set a goal to assist 200 children, but invitations were only sent to 100 families this year because of lack of funding. Of those 100, less than half participated.
“We only do the best we can,” said fourth year volunteer Sue Johntson. “It takes major efforts to raise the funds to help the kids.”
Mariani said while it is painful to know some children are not being helped, it all comes down to how much money can be raised.
“It is good to help those we can help; it would be wonderful if we could help more,” Mariani said. “If the fundraising doesn’t come through, then we can’t do it and it is heartbreaking. I wish it were not necessary at all. It’s definitely a humbling experience. It makes you appreciate how much you do have.”
Cheeto Barrera is an intern at the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at [email protected].
