250 Southwest RivCo Kids Gifted Shopping Spree For 2023 School Year

MURRIETA, CA — Over 250 Southwest Riverside County school children were gifted a shopping spree at the Promenade Temecula JCPenney department store before the 2023 school year, the Salvation Army and Pechanga announced. Dubbed the Child Spree, families from the Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and Lake Elsinore School Districts were able to get new clothes and shoes to start the year right, thanks to multiple local partners.

During the event, children and their families were matched with a volunteer shopper from Pechanga Casino, who helped them find what they needed and wanted for the school year.

Kindergarteners to high school seniors each received $125 to spend at JCPenney to start the day. Then, they and their buddy shopped for clothing, shoes, and accessories during the event. The kids get to make their own choices, and the buddies were there to help them stay on budget.

Dr. Jim Yanoschik, Salvation Army Advisory Board member and president of the Murrieta Rotary Club, has been involved with the event since the beginning.

"Since the Child Spree started in 1998, we have sent over 5,500 children to shop for new school clothes," he said. "We partner with local businesses like Pechanga, Milgrad, American Pacific Mortgage, and the Rotary Club to obtain donations and volunteers."

According to Yanoschik, community partnerships and donations help drive the operation. This year, Milgard Manufacturing presented the organization with a check for $2,500. Other financial donors included the Milter Foundation, Signs by Tomorrow, and Ready 2 Smile Dental Group.

"Families can sign their children up through The Salvation Army Corps, but we also get referrals from the school districts and work with those in the shelter programs," Yanoschik said.

Angelina Sevilla selected clothing for her two daughters, aged 7 and 9, as the girls were focused on new shoes and backpacks.

"I've shopped around and looked for different back-to-school sales," Sevilla said. "But today, we're able to complete the shopping with new outfits and gym shoes."Sevilla said her favorite part of the event was telling her children they could pick out whatever they wanted. "They don't even like shopping very much, but they were so excited to come today."

Murrieta Corps Officer Major Jessyca Carr said this event is just one of the ways they reach children in need throughout the Riverside County community.

"We do what we can to assist local children and lessen some of the stressors parents often experience surrounding costs," she said.

One Pechanga employee and volunteer, Emily Meyers, said helping children find back-to-school clothes and essentials was a fun experience that reminded her of being in their place.

"I remember some years in middle school that I didn't really get a ton of new clothes," Meyers said. "It's cool to see kids come in and be able to buy whatever they want because I understand what it's like not to get that new shirt or jacket that everyone else has."

After carefully selecting fashionable finds, participants could choose items from tables outside that included new backpacks, books, socks, shelf-stable foods, and school supplies organized according to grade level. A picture spot was also available to capture memories of the special day.

The event concluded as families had the opportunity to recharge with breakfast and coffee sponsored by McDonald's and Starbucks.

Yanoschik and the Carrs said the noticeable number of needy families compels them to continuously develop partnerships and explore avenues to enhance their capacity to serve the youth and community.

As Yanoschik said, "We're always eager to help the young kids and see their excitement when they walk out with bags of new clothes."