“Shoes That Fit aims to get kids off on right foot - San Jose Mercury News” plus 1 more

Shoes That Fit aims to get kids off on right foot - San Jose Mercury News

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 10:42 PM PDT

CLAREMONT - Helping children go back to school prepared and energized is the focus of a campaign by Shoes That Fit and the Village Marketing Group.

The campaign, now in its sixth year, has been a very successful collaborative effort to make sure local students in need can start off the new school year ready to go.

These Back to School Buddy Sponsors are asked to check out a backpack from one of the many participating downtown Claremont merchants and help make dreams come true.

It's really pretty simple. Once you check out a backpack, then Back to School Buddy Sponsors are asked to fill it with a new pair of athletic shoes, socks and school supplies. Then the backpacks are returned and earmarked for distribution to an anticipated 400 children from 10 school districts.

"It's pretty tough times for many parents and we want all children to be able to start off the school year as successfully as they can, and this program helps make that possible," said Melissa Turner, Shoes That Fit administrative assistant.

"The need is so great. We have even more school districts participating than in past years. Providing these backpacks is just one less thing that parents need to worry about. We want to eliminate any stigma. We want all children to feel prepared so they can start the school year off, well, on the right foot."

Thirty Claremont Village merchants are participating this year.

"We figure that most parents already are

shopping for back to school supplies for their own children. We're asking that just maybe could they add one more child to the list," Turner said.

"People really like doing this, particularly other children. Many of our Back to School Buddy Sponsors are children helping other children in need."

The program has begun and will continue through Aug. 15. Once all filled backpacks are collected, they will be distributed. Everything is done anonymously, although sponsors will know the first name of the child they are helping along with the gender of the child and his or her shoe size.

Sonja Stump of Sonja Stump Photography and Joan Bunte, owner of Stamp Your Heart Out, are helping to oversee the program. Stump said it brings her great joy each year.

"This is a fabulous way for everyone to be able to give back to the community," Stump said. "And I've been there when some of the children receive their backpacks. They're so excited.

"For many of these children, they're used to getting hand-me-downs from older brothers and sisters or they've never had anything new. It's very heart-warming to see how proud they are when they finally have something they can call their own."

Although all donations are welcome, Stump said sponsors shouldn't feel a need to spend a tremendous amount of money.

"School supplies can add up, and we always tell people not to feel like they have to go out and buy a pair of $100 athletic shoes. These kids are growing, so we'd rather people be practical when they donate and maybe more children can be helped," she said.

Bunte agreed.

"Although it is a lot of hard work and preparation, the donors who fill these backpacks do such an amazing job and they really help the children start the school year," she said in a prepared statement.

"Many of these children have no shoes at all or are sharing shoes with their siblings. We have such a generous community and we love that they always seem to step up for the children that are really in need."

For a complete list of participating merchants, visit www.StampYourHeart.com, or call 909-621-4363.

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Back to School Shopping List: Top Trends for Your Kids - ABC News

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 04:18 AM PDT

Aug. 5, 2010

Americans are still enjoying summer fun, but back to school season is almost upon us. Kids always want to sport the hottest items, and trend and lifestyle expert Jane Buckingham, the author of "The Modern Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations" shared the must-have supplies, clothes, and room decor for kids and teens this year with "Good Morning America."

Lifestyle expert Jane Buckingham talks about some of the new looks for the fall.

Buckingham, who is also the founder of Trendera, a trend forecasting company, says that one of the big trends this year is to personalize everything -- from shoes to lamp shades.

Must-Have School Supplies

Personalized School Supplies

$1.50 each at Target: www.target.com

You can get a 2-pocket folder, 1-subject notebook, composition book or Sharpie box, all for $1.50 each. With these items, your children can customize everything just the way they like it.

Personalized Sigg Bottles

$29.95 at Www.MySigg.com

Everyone is trying to be eco-friendly and not use plastic water bottles. The problem is a lot of those bottles have the same design, and you don't know if it's your bottle or someone else's. But with these Sigg bottles you can upload your own design or use one of theirs.

Graffeeti Sneakers and Backpacks

These sneakers and backpacks are DIY. You can write on them and do what you want -- it's all about individuality. Kids usually write on their own sneakers anyway, now they'll have permission to do it. The shoes are $44.99 and the backpacks are $29.99 at FAO Schwarz.

Look Smart and Be Smart

The 7-year pen has ink that supposedly will last for 7 years. It's from seltzergoods.com for $7.50.

It's hip to be smart, and what makes a kid look smarter than wearing glasses? Fake reading glasses from fredflare.com are hot right now. They cost $12.

Personalizing Your Bedroom or Dorm Room

Personalized Headboard Decals: These headboard decals from Urban Outfitters are an inexpensive way to personalize a college room without adding furniture. It freshens up the home bedroom to make it look like you have a fancy headboard. You can take it off easily if you don't like it, and it won't harm your walls.

Pottery Barn customized lampshades from PB Teen ($39) hold seven photos. It's great for kids who are going away to college and who may miss home.

Lightbulb, $18: www.uncommongoods.com

The lightbulbs are an inexpensive way to change the look of your room. It's like a modern-day lava lamp. They make the room look groovy without having to spend too much, and they're a great way to decorate without doing anything permanent.

* You can get all of the bedding seen on "GMA" from Pottery Barn's PBdorm collection.

Be as Cool as Your Kids

Yes, it's impossible to keep up with what the kids are saying. But parents can use these slang flashcards from knockknock.biz to test each other. They cost $11. Parents should probably hide them from the kids.

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Kids Shoes

Thursday, August 5, 2010