Foster Children Experience Joy and Generosity at DCFS Shopping Spree

The Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) recently orchestrated a heartwarming shopping spree for foster children in the Antelope Valley. This special event, hosted at Old Navy, marked the second successful collaboration within the past nine months, significantly impacting the lives of 85 foster youth.

A Day of Delight and Support

On Thursday, 85 foster children, escorted by 61 volunteer shoppers, had the opportunity to pick out $100 worth of clothing at Old Navy. This personalized shopping experience, facilitated by the Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West, aimed to provide these children with new clothes and a sense of normalcy. Each child also received a duffle bag filled with school supplies donated by the Assistance League of Antelope Valley and Walmart. The day ended on a sweet note with complimentary pretzels and lemonade provided by Wetzel’s Pretzels, owned by Staci and Phillip Holliday.

Staci Holliday, reflecting on the event, said, “As a business owner located in the Antelope Valley Mall, I was able to secure an additional thirty-three donations of $100 from our local businesses, enabling us to increase the participation by 33 children.”

Addressing the Needs of Foster Children

The Antelope Valley is home to more than 3,000 foster children, highlighting the importance of such supportive initiatives. The Assistance League of Antelope Valley went above and beyond by donating over 100 Easter baskets in addition to the school supplies.

Linda Broderius from the Assistance League expressed the organization’s mission: “This is what we do — make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families. Joining this event with all the other organizations ensures positive outcomes for both participants and volunteers.”

Strong Community Involvement

The event was a collaborative effort, with Assistant Regional Administrator Michelle Penez from DCFS and Debby Clinkenbeard, AV Mall Property Marketing Manager, playing pivotal roles in organizing and securing the site.

“We are committed to helping our community grow and thrive by impacting our youngest community members,” Clinkenbeard stated.

Penez added, “After today’s event, the kids know that we care and that caring is more than just words; it’s words in action. Our community showed up today.”

Youth Volunteers in Action

Key Club students from Knight and SOAR High Schools, including Key Club Lt. Governor Maria Gilani of Division 16 West, actively participated in the event. These young volunteers not only assisted the children in selecting clothes but also helped them decorate their duffle bags, fostering a sense of creativity and ownership.

Elena Esquer, president of the Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West, highlighted the event’s broader impact: “These types of events not only meet our mission of improving the world one child and one community at a time but also allow us to teach leadership skills through service to our Key Clubs and Builders Clubs. Today’s event brought many organizations and people together for one purpose — to make a difference in the lives of the children of our community.”

Continuing the Mission

The Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West is dedicated to supporting initiatives that benefit local children and strengthen community ties. We are proud of our role in this event and look forward to future opportunities to serve and support our community.

For more information on how you can get involved or stay updated on our activities, please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West

Serving the Children of the World