back to school shopping

Do you remember back when you were in school (and maybe you are still in school) and back to school time came? Did you just LOVE going back to school shopping? Getting brand new jeans, shirts, shoes, etc and making the perfect outfit....wasn't it one of the best feelings in the world??

Sadly, for many children and teenagers this is not a happy, joyful time for them. Due to the financial state of their parents they aren't able to go back to school shopping. They aren't able to experience the euphoria that comes with purchasing new jeans, shirts and shoes to make the PERFECT outfit.

I grew up with my grandparents and while we never went hungry we did not have extra money. Most of the clothes that I got were hand me downs from cousins or aunts. I do remember one year going back to school shopping with my dad. I remember a big box full of clothes for me and my brothers and I thought I was pretty cool. I am not saying that I wore dirty or torn clothing. I don't remember that at all. However, there are many kids who have no choice but to wear dirty or torn clothing.

Dirty and torn clothing! Can you imagine sending your own child to school the very first day in a pair of jeans that are two inches too short, a hole in the knee and one in the butt. A t-shirt that is stained with grass, dirt or any other substance. A pair of shoes that are sadly one size too small and look worn out? Would you do it? What if you had no other choice? How would you feel? How do you think your child would feel? To be one of the few who show up on the very first day of school in (gasp) NOT new clothes??

It would be like walking on a car lot. The lot is full of brand new, shiny Porsche's (is that a word?). In the middle of the lot there is this one little car. It is a 1950 Pinto (did they make Pinto's in 1950?), there are rust spots all over it, holes where the rust has worn through the body, the color is a burnt red color. It would be out of place, huh?

Now, think about the children who go to school in the same school with your children who are feeling exactly that on the first day of school. What can you do? There are organizations that help these children and their families. Find one, do something about it. Help bring a smile to a childs face today.

One organization I have attached the link below does just this. They are local here in Knoxville, TN.

www.karm.org