Personal Shopping for a Cause

I do a lot of volunteer work, but recently I participated in one of my most rewarding personal volunteer experiences yet. It's called the Back 2 School Store, and it's run by the Essex County Section of the National Council of Jewish Women.

The goal of the event is to provide economically disadvantaged children throughout Essex County with clothing, school supplies and personal care items to prepare them for school.

But instead of merely raising money and donating the goods directly, NCJW empowers kids by setting up a one-day-only department store at the B'nai Shalom temple in West Orange where they can shop on their own.

As one of at least 300 volunteers involved in running the store, my role was personal shopper. The children who attended the event were between the ages of five and twelve and were chosen by local agencies to participate.  

My first shopper was a lovely nine-year-old girl. Our first stop was two large tables of backpacks in all different colors and styles. The idea was to let the child pick whatever he/she wanted—even if it was the pink leopard print pants mom would never allow. Caregivers were not permitted in the store so kids enjoyed an unrestricted free spree.

Volunteers had transformed the large space into a real store, complete with sample outfits hanging from the walls and meticulous signage for items and sizes. The clothing was brand new and stylish from recognizable labels. NCJW raised $80,000 to purchase each garment in the store, guaranteeing that everything was modern, fashionable and appealing to kids. 

My new little friend loved the color purple. Naturally, we then gathered a beautiful purple winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf.  There were volunteer "sales people" available to help and fit each child to make sure the gear lasts through the year.

A large grin stole across her face as she chose some adorable tops and pants and went into a dressing room to try them on. We agreed on an outfit and were off to the shoe department for new socks and sneakers. While perusing the shoe aisles, my friend saw her sister and cousin and eagerly showed off her new ensemble.

I couldn't help but smile.

Not only did it feel great to watch her embracing her experience, but—as a mom of three boys—it was a thrill for me to get to share my enthusiasm for shopping with an exuberant girl.

Her bag stuffed with new duds, we moved to school supplies and hygiene products. Kids filled their backpacks with every size of marker, crayon and notebook. They received pencil cases, scissors and a dictionary. There were also dental, hair and soap products galore. If preparedness translates to grades, these kids were headed for the honor roll. 

The two of us lugged her heavy shopping bag and backpack to the exit and felt that "good tired" you feel after a long day at the mall. I brought her back to her mother who had been waiting in the temple lobby.

Another amazing aspect of this event is the family resource center set up for the caregivers of shoppers. Representatives from at least 20 agencies set up tables to provide services and information on important wellness and social issues to people who might not otherwise have access. There were leaflets on nutrition, lead poisoning and choking.     

A representative from the National Organization of Black Enforcement Executives offered fingerprinting and photo IDs to families in case of emergency.  A huge luxury bus from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey was parked outside to give free medical screenings. There were also several agencies dedicated to informing parents of their legal rights regarding special education, foster care, immigration and domestic violence.    

All in all, 386 kids shopped at the store in one day. Some only spoke Spanish, but NCJW recruited bilingual volunteers and created extra signage so each child was able to participate. A handful of kids were so jazzed about their new loot they wore every item out the door—even the coat! (No need to remind you, but it's August!)

The NCJW is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure their individual rights and freedoms through many wonderful programs. The opportunity for these children to shop on their own built self esteem and enthusiasm about the beginning of the school year. Now the students can focus on learning.

I'm gushing, I know. But I was so moved by the experience of watching these kids buzzing around and checking themselves out in the mirror in their new clothes. It's exciting for any kid to get a new outfit for the first day of school, but for these kids it was a treat they won't forget.