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Donations still needed for underprivileged Boise kids' shopping spree

Posted at 5:05 PM, Dec 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-18 20:30:01-05

Nearly 150 kids who attend Boise Parks and Recreation’s after-school programs and daytime family homeless shelter will go on a holiday shopping spree courtesy of the City of Boise and generous community members this Wednesday.

However, donations are still needed to make it all possible.

“The annual youth shopping event could not happen without the generosity of the community,” said Doug Holloway, Director of Boise Parks & Recreation. “For some children, this may be the only gift they receive during the holiday season.”

Each child receives a gift card to buy gifts, clothes, and other personal items. Community volunteers will be on hand to help guide each of them through the process.

The shopping event will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Target, 6280 N. Eagle Road. This is the tenth year for this annual event with the last eight years being hosted by Target, a key sponsor.  Thousands of dollars are raised each year by businesses, social groups, and families to support the event.

Youth are chosen from after-school programs at refugee apartment complexes, neighborhood centers, a homeless day shelter and Title 1 schools that demonstrate significant need for this program. Sites include the Grace Jordan, Morley Nelson, Whitney, Garfield, Jefferson, Hawthorne and Taft school-based community centers and the Pioneer Day Shelter in which are all operated by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department.

The children will arrive in shifts transported by Parks and Recreation, and will go until about 4 p.m.

For more details on how to help, click here.