Fort Yuma Rotary's Back to School Shopping Project, by Cindy Landin

Posted by Janell Johnson

Note: Below is the original Fort Yuma Rotary's Back to School Shopping Project article, authored by our very own Cindy Landin,
which was used to generate the Yuma Sun article. Enjoy!

Once again, Fort Yuma Rotarians and several other sponsors were able to provide 25 fortunate kids with back to school supplies and clothing.

Studies have shown that academic success is strongly linked to good health and a positive attitude. By providing these kids with the supplies and clothing they may not have otherwise been able to afford, we are sending them to school well prepared and confident. Beginning the school year with confidence can greatly affect motivation and provide a child with the enthusiasm he or she will need to persevere and adapt to the challenges of a new school year.

Volunteers from the Fort Yuma Rotary Club, their families and high school Interact members arrived at the JC Penny’s store at the Yuma Palms Mall at 7:30 am to begin their shopping spree. JC Penny’s opened the store early to the 25 children, Fort Yuma Rotary allowing $100 dollars each for clothing and $25 each for shoes.

Funds were raised by Fort Yuma Rotary’s Mardi Gras Block Party and Pars Under the Stars Golf Tournament.

Fort Yuma Rotary would like to thank the following sponsors that helped us to provide additional services.

The Aiello Eye Institute provided backpacks for every child. All of the backpacks were filled with school supplies. Other sponsor include Allure Hair Salon with Hair Cuts for all the children, Payless Shoes, 16^th Dental Care, American Transmission, Don Peterson Engineering, Yuma Wellness Center, David Ellis and Associates, Mission Plumbing, Yuma Vision Center, Sam’s Club, The Flower Mine, and Klien’s Kustom Electric,

The Back to School Shopping Spree event was fun and rewarding for all involved. A special thanks to all of the sponsors, volunteers and to all of the organizations who provided the opportunity for these kids. We look forward to making the event even more successful next year!

Special Thank you to Marlene Aiello for being Fort Yuma Rotary’s Back to School Shopping Committee Chair!