On Saturday, August 3 at 6:30 am, Bakersfield North Rotarians along with volunteers, shopped until they dropped with nearly 200 students from Standard and Beardsley School Districts, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County. It was North Rotary’s annual Back to School Shopping event which provides new school wardrobes for pre-selected 5-17 year old kids at Kohl’s.
Bakersfield North Rotary raises money through Rotarian donations and fundraising events that allow the club’s Foundation to purchase new clothes for kids in need. It is a favorite project among Bakersfield North Rotarians. The efforts and the generosity of Rotarians help to ensure that these kids have new clothes, new shoes, … all the necessities so they can show up to school on the first day looking and feeling their best. In addition the Boys & Girls Club partners bring in their own students, and funds, to increase the reach of the event and provide for more children across Kern County. The children have the opportunity to have breakfast, shop, and enjoy fun activities to start the school year off right.
Kohl’s opens their doors early for these students, and provides a sizeable discount to make sure each student gets to purchase what is on their “needs” list. Parents provide a list of what each student needs (shorts, shirts, shoes, undergarments, etc.) and provides their size; then Rotarians, and other volunteers, team up with the students and help them shop.
Bakersfield North Rotarians, Standard School District, Beardsley School District, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County, and dedicated partners worked side by side to make the first day of school a little happier for our community’s students.