CLEARLAKE — While book bags, paper and pencils were being checked-out at the counter, 30 children were racing around Wal-Mart on Thursday, picking out new clothes for the return to school this fall. Coordinators stretched a $3,500 donation from Adventist Health Redbud Community Hospital (RCH) to serve the needs of 80 area children.
The effort was made possible through the hospital”s collaboration with Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) and the agency”s youth center. While children shopped, LCCAA Executive Director Georgina Lehne along with seven hospital representatives, gathered backpacks, which they said they were taking to the Lake County Youth Center to fill with school supplies.
Thirty children were given a $100 apiece to spend on clothes and shoes while an additional 50 children will receive the backpacks loaded with school supplies.
“This truly is a blessing,” said Tina Roberts, mother of two Burns Valley Elementary School students. “Without this, my children would not have had new clothes to go to school in. I”m so thankful that there are people out there who really care about our children. Today is about them.”
Wal-Mart Associate Heather Sage assisted the mothers as they picked out new clothes for their children. “Some of the moms have been crying,” she said. “They are so happy.”
RCH representative Clara Goldassio added, “It”s a relief for them.”
Sheri Brink, who was shopping for her daughter and her nephew, said that having new clothes to start school with helps her children have more self-confidence. Her 13-year-old daughter, who will be entering seventh grade, said it helps her feel more prepared and helps ease her anxiety about starting junior high.
Organizers said it”s all about filling the basic needs of children. “Kids that couldn”t afford clothes for school are getting what they need,” Lehne said. “It makes kids fell like they belong and that they are no different than anybody else.”
Wendi Fox, RCH director of human resources, said the effort was coordinated after Lehne spoke with Linda Gibson, RCH senior vice president of operations. “Georgina helped explain the needs of our community. Some of these kids have never had something new so we coordinated with Georgina to make it happen,” Fox said. “These kids are our future. It”s about the hospital getting involved and kids having their basic needs met.”
Fox said the hospital”s involvement helps establish a role-model in the healthcare field for children. “The sooner you show children the hospital getting involved the better. It gives them role-models to look up to then they will be the ones helping in the future,” she said.
Wal-Mart designated a specific checkout line for the shoppers. The store also contributed $150 toward the purchase of the backpacks.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
