We, at RE/MAX Parkside Real Estate, in an effort to give back to our community, are putting together our 6th “Back to School Shopping Spree” for under privileged children in the North County area.  Our agents and office will be donating funds to buy school clothes.  We are working with the schools and local service organizations to coordinate mailing of an application to local families.  We will then evaluate the applications and sponsor 150 of the most in need children, age 5-12.  Each of our agents, in addition to donating money, will take the child shopping for $100 worth of clothing needs.  We will be at Target as the store for the shopping trip. 

Our aim is to help these children and give them a memorable time.  We bring the RE/MAX hot air balloon in that morning.  Each child will have a free ride up in the balloon, which will be tethered.  Target will offer breakfast and each agent escorting a child shopping.

How can you help?  We are in need of new and gently used clothing for the children.  We also sponsor an area called, “New To You”.  In this area we serve two needs.  First, the families can “shop” for other children in the family under 5 and over 12.  And second, because it is so hard to turn away people, those who were not chosen to go shopping in Target, at least have a chance to get clothing for the children.  We reach out to the community to donate clothing for this very important part of the program.

How else can you help?  Due to the number of children and the fact that each child will be accompanied from start to finish, we look for volunteers to be there that morning and participate either by taking a child shopping or in the New to You area or other supporting staff.  Due to the number of Spanish speaking parents, Spanish speaking volunteers are especially needed.

There is a benefit account set up at Santa Lucia Bank where you can make cash donations.