VALDOSTA —
Twenty Valdosta youngsters took a shopping spree Thursday morning for back-to-school supplies at Target.
Partnering with the Valdosta Salvation Army, Target opened its store to the area children, their parents and volunteers to help the youngsters find needed school supplies.
Mostly elementary school students, each child received an $80 gift certificate for back-to-school supplies or clothing, said Kristi Wallis with Target human resources.
Children shopped for papers, binders, notebooks, backpacks, sand more with the gift cards.
Salvation Army volunteers and Target team members helped the children find the needed items.
This is the second year that Target approached the Salvation Army about the program.
Monica Caesar, a volunteer “soldier” in the Salvation Army, said the program helps area students get a solid start to the school year which starts Aug. 8 for Valdosta and Lowndes County students.
Davetta Newton is the mother of three participating students, a 9-year-old son entering fourth grade, an 8-year-old son entering third grade, and a 4-year-old daughter entering pre-K. Looking through a school supply list, she said the back-to-school gift cards will have her children ready for class next month.
Often behind the scenes, Target helps the Salvation Army throughout the year. Target participates in Salvation Army fundraisers and makes donations in times of emergency and disaster.
“The Salvation Army is so grateful to Target for their generosity,” according to the Salvation Army. “The day was such fun for the volunteers as well as the children, and we know these kids will go back to school feeling a little prouder because of this day. Some bonds were made today that will last a long time and will not be forgotten easily.”
The Valdosta Salvation Army and the Valdosta Target hope to continue the back-to-school effort again next year.
Local News
Related Photos
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Toneka Bethea with her daughter, Shamyia, 5, look for school supplies at Target Thursday morning at the back-to-school shopping spree sponsored by Target and the Salvation Army.
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Monica Caesar, right, a ‘soldier’ volunteer with the Salvation Army, talks with Davetta Newton and two of her children, Danielle, 4, and Jonathan, 8, at the back-to-school shopping spree at Target Thursday morning.
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Target helps kids get back to school
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