SAN DIMAS/ LA VERNE– LA VERNE/SAN DIMAS – First-grader Allison grinned upon finding the perfect pair of school shoes with the help of Bonita Unified Assistant Superintendent Susan Hume, one of about 50 volunteers who helped students select back-to-school clothing during the 25th annual Bonita Children’s Shopping Day, a collaboration between Bonita Unified School District and the Soroptimist of San Dimas/La Verne.

The shoe department at La Verne Target was a popular stop for the young shoppers, who chose new footgear with assistance from shopping volunteers that included a handful of Bonita Unified employees, firefighters, police officers, Knights of Columbus and San Dimas Rodeo.
While shopping baskets held prized picks such as cargo shorts, uniform slacks and screen T-shirts with unicorns and superheroes, it was the footwear that the students were most excited to add to their carts.

“My new shoes are rose gold, so I can wear them to school AND weddings!” said third-grader Makayla.

Teachers and administrators from each of Bonita Unified’s eight elementary schools select students for the shopping experience, which provides not only a backpack filled with school supplies but also an $80 budget to purchase school clothing basics. The shopping spree is funded through a combination of donations, fundraisers and grants garnered by the 18-member Soroptimist of San Dimas/La Verne organization, which includes two Bonita Unified employees.

“I love seeing the students faces light up when the new outfit they picked is bagged up and handed to them at the cash register,” said Chris Ann Horsley, Soroptimist and Bonita Unified’s senior director of elementary curriculum and instruction. She assists in organizing the shopping day, including arranging Bonita Unified bus transportation between the schools and the store.

“It’s wonderful when our community partners come together in support of our students,” said Superintendent Carl J. Coles, and we are grateful to the Soroptimist for sponsoring and organizing this annual event.”

After their purchases were completed, students were treated to a light breakfast, coloring and cartoons in the Target staff lounge. The shoppers thanked volunteers as they filed back on the buses with their new backpacks and shopping bags, equipped for the school year ahead.

PHOTOS
Bonita_Shopping_Spree 1_09.10.19: Susan Hume, assistant superintendent of business services for Bonita Unified School District, fits a student with a new pair of shoes from Target during the 25th annual back-to-school shopping spree provided by Soroptimist International San Dimas/La Verne. About 70 elementary students are chosen by Bonita Unified teachers and administrators to receive school supplies and $80 in back-to-school clothing.

Bonita_ Shopping Spree 2_09.10.2019: A Bonita Unified student picked out some new shoes and an outfit with the help of volunteer shopping assistants from La Verne Police Department. The Soroptimist of San Dimas/La Verne work in partnership with Bonita Unified School District to provide back-to-school clothes and supplies to about 70 students, selected by teachers and administrators to participate in Bonita Children’s Shopping Day.