The 11th Annual Back to School Shopping Spree was held Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the Broward Mall in Plantation to benefit 136 abused, neglected, and abandoned children, ages 5 to 18. These children include those living with relative and non-relative caregivers as well as children living in Foster Care who do not qualify for Foster Care clothing vouchers. HANDY recognizes this gap in the system and fills this void for children in need.
HANDY provided each child with a $100 Broward Mall gift certificate, a backpack filled with school supplies, and an exciting school year kick-off day that included lunch at the food court for 179 children, siblings, caregivers, caseworkers, and Guardians ad Litem who helped the children with their shopping choices. Lunch is also an opportunity for children to show off their purchases to one another and share their excitement about the new school year.
Back to School Shopping Spree Event Chair, Robin Zarrella and her committee of tireless volunteers including Elaine Appel and General Magistrate Melinda Brown helped to make this day an overwhelming success. Once again, Broward Mall anchor stores, JC Penney and Sears provided additional discounts to our shoppers helping to make this experience even more thrilling. Generous contributors to the event included, The Allen Foundation, Ann M. Martin Foundation, AutoNation, Children’s Services Council of Broward, and HANDY members and friends.
