SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Children from schools around Eastern Washington got new clothes for winter Friday as part of the Salvation Army’s Clothe-A-Child event.
At the JCPenney in Spokane Valley, 150 kids got a $100 shopping spree. School counselors nominated students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
"Kids get ownership in this, because they get to pick the clothes that they want to wear. They're not hand me downs. They're not used clothing, it's brand new, and it helps the kids fit in better at school and hopefully that'll help them with their education,” Salvation Army Major Ken Perine.
For many children this is their first time getting new clothes.
"We had a child that came through, and when he told them they were going to get new clothes, the child kept asking, ‘Are they new clothes for me? They're not used clothes?’ They kept asking if they were new, and that was cute," Perine said.
Each kid gets to pick out their favorite clothes including shirts, pants, winter coats and shoes. Several community volunteers came out to help the kids shop around and even offer some advice on their new outfits.
"So far, me and my buddy have a sweatshirt, some sweatpants and a nice winter hat, so with the weather changing, we're trying to make sure that everyone's outfitted appropriately for the coming climate," said Spokane SWAT Officer Nick Briggs.
Over the weekend, another group of students will be out shopping for new clothes.