CHILDSPREE

Mervyn's and the Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield provides a shopping-spree for nearly 260 underprivileged children in the Kern County area. The annual event, known as 'ChildSpree," is a partnership between the Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield, Bakersfield West Rotary, Boys and Girls Club of Lamont, CASA, Community Connection, Kiwanis, Mervyn's and Youth Connection.

Hosted at both Mervyn's locations, Childspree provides up to 260 children each with a $100 gift certificate to spend on the latest back-to-school fashions (for some children, this event provides the only clothes they receive all year), a new Jansport backpack and breakfast after the event.

"The new clothes help the kids feel good about themselves. It allows them to have self-respect, which then turns into confidence and then to success in life." - Greg May, Active 20-30 member.