In the eyes of a child, new clothes take on a special meaning when it’s the first day of school. Looking your best and feeling confident can be important.
Several children are showing off what they picked to wear that first school day at Runway for Hope, a fashion show and luncheon sponsored by Assistance League of East Valley on March 1. The children will twirl down the runway in new uniforms, T-shirts, and pants like those provided by the organization each year.
About 7,000 elementary school children receive new clothing from Assistance League of East Valley during the year, at special dressing events at Target and at distributions of new uniforms each fall. Many of the children have never had new clothing, according to the school resource officers who choose them.
“A lot of our kids have to wear hand-me-downs, maybe the same outfits for several days,” says Lianne Merrill, family support specialist. “It affects their self-esteem. Families have lost jobs, or are living in a motel because they are homeless. They are so very grateful for this help.”
The Assistance League Thrift Shop at 2326 N. Alma School in Chandler provides much of the funding, in addition to grants and the annual spring fundraising event.
Fashions also will be presented by Macy’s at the event, which is held at Marriott Phoenix Chandler. Boutique shopping opens at 9:30 a.m., with the fashion show and lunch at noon. AL-EastValley.org/runway-for-hope
“A lot of our kids have to wear hand-me-downs, maybe the same outfits for several days,” says Lianne Merrill, family support specialist. “It affects their self-esteem."