National Council of Jewish Women Sponsors Shopping Spree for Economically Disadvantaged Kids

Ready! Set! Shop! At least 500 economically disadvantaged children won't need any money when they go Sunday to one special department store for a back-to-school shopping spree. These children will be escorted individually by as many as 300 volunteer personal shoppers through the aisles of the Back 2 School Store — 4,000 square feet of donated space that will be transformed into a department store-like setting.

The kids can comb the aisles, picking out brand new clothing, school supplies, backpacks, and personal care items purchased by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section, which is sponsoring the shopping spree. The president of NCJW is long-time Montclair resident Jill Johnson.

Each child will "shop" for a completely new outfit — shirt, pants, underclothes, socks, sneakers, winter jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf — and also will receive a backpack filled with school supplies and personal care items.

The goal is to foster positive self-esteem and enthusiasm so that the children will be ready to focus on learning on the first day of school. While the kids are shopping, their parents and caregivers will receive information about helpful community resources.

The shopping spree is Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the B'nai Shalom Synagogue, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange.

The NCJW does not need any more volunteers this year, but if anyone wants to get involved in the Back 2 School Store project for next year, they should contact NCJW Director of Volunteers Sue Wasserman at swasserman@ncjwessex.org

The NCJW always accepts financial donations and interested donors can click to donate directly from the group's Web site at www.ncjwessex.org