PRESS RELEASE
Hundreds of Salvation Army Volunteers Help
Kids Shop for Back-to-School Clothes
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – August 21, 2009 – Nearly 1,000 Salvation Army volunteers, including Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel, will provide a back-to-school shopping experience for 860 children of low-income families at 11 Twin Cities retail stores on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The event, Leaders Launching Learners (L3), is a repeat from last summer when 800 kids were helped. Generous Salvation Army givers provided $100,000 to make the project happen again this year. (view photos)
“This outreach has proved to be invaluable to families coming to us in crisis,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “During these trying economic times, practical help for families is our most critical service.”
L3 will be held at retail stores in Brooklyn Center, Bloomington, Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Fridley, North Branch, Vadnais Heights, St. Paul and St. Anthony. (Exact stores are listed at bottom.) Each volunteer will escort one child through shopping aisles and help them pick out $100 worth of shoes, shirts and pants.
“I had the privilege of meeting and helping Cesar,” wrote Kim, a volunteer from last year’s L3. “The smile on his face as he dragged his big bag of clothes onto the bus will stay with me for a long time.”
McDaniel is scheduled to volunteer at the Midway Wal-Mart in St. Paul, which will include L3 activities from 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. An additional hometown hero scheduled to volunteer is Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, who will be at the Wal-Mart in Vadnais Heights from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Along with accommodating the crowds of volunteers and their pint-sized shoppers, some of the retail stores will provide discounts and other amenities to help make the shopping spree an even bigger success.
“Our amazing volunteers and these generous businesses allow us to stay strong and serve a growing population of hurting people,” Leedom said. “The message of this event is, ‘Together we can make a lasting difference, one life at a time.’ We are not only offering free clothing, but we are offering hope and compassion.”
L3 Locations: Aug. 22, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Bloomington: Kohl’s
Brooklyn Center: Kohl’s
Buffalo: Wal-Mart
Elk River: Wal-Mart
Fridley: Target
North Branch: Shopko
St. Anthony: Wal-Mart
St. Paul: K-Mart
Coon Rapids: Wal-Mart (additional shift, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
St. Paul: Wal-Mart (additional shift, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Vadnais Heights: Wal-Mart (additional shift, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
The Twin Cities Salvation Army has 26 operation centers and serves more than 200,000 people in crisis each year. Daily it serves 2,100 hot meals and houses 850 people a night. More than 14,000 local volunteers lend a hand to offer hope through Salvation Army services from child daycare to senior housing.
To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
