Salvation Army sends kids back to school in style at Target shopping event

Twenty-five children left the Redmond Target with a bag filled of the latest fall fashions after Tuesday's Salvation Army Back-to-School Shopping Spree.

Twenty-five children left the Redmond Target with a bag filled of the latest fall fashions after Tuesday’s Salvation Army Back-to-School Shopping Spree.

Redmond police officers and firefighters, Kirkland firefighters and Salvation Army staff and volunteers chaperoned low-income children from the Eastside through the store.

“It’s been great having the support of Target and the community to provide this Back-to-School program,” Lt. Sierra Dwelle of the Salvation Army said.

Target awarded $1 million to the Salvation Army for back-to-school shopping sprees throughout the nation. The Redmond Target has partnered with the Salvation Army Eastside Corps for three years to host the event, giving each child an $80 Target gift card.

“We really want to participate and make the community we are in better,” Redmond Target Human Resources team member Erin Chase said.

After selecting clothes, the children sat back and enjoyed snacks provided by Target while chatting with police officers and firefighters.

“I have a little kid so I think it’s good to help and have a good time doing it,” Redmond firefighter Nate Fennell said.

Six-year-old Loukia (last name withheld) seemed to have a good time as well.

“My favorite part was getting shirts and my boots,” she said as she showed off a pair of pink polka-dot Hello Kitty rain boots.

The Salvation Army Eastside Corps offers services to 150 children across the Eastside each month. In August, the organization will host another back-to-school event to provide backpacks stuffed with school supplies to underprivileged youth.