Annual Shopping Spree Helps Kern Students Start School Ready to Succeed

Excitement and anticipation filled the air this morning as more than 100 Kern County students and their families walked through the doors of Kohl’s on Gosford Road for the annual Kohl’s Children’s Shopping Spree, each child eager to begin the school year with the supplies and clothing they need to succeed.

Hosted by the Bakersfield Active 20-30 Club in partnership with Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC) and community organizations, including the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the annual shopping spree helps children enrolled in Community Connection’s subsidy programs begin the school year with new clothing, school supplies, and other essentials.

Shirelle Perez, Program Manager for CCCC, has spent more than 30 years coordinating the event, with each year proving just as meaningful as the last.

“I am passionate about our children and providing support,” Perez said. “This event reminds me of the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, because all of the participating organizations truly partner together.”

For Peggy Garcia-Moreno, who is raising five grandchildren in Eastern Kern County, the event represents more than a day of back-to-school shopping.

“Being selected means my grandchildren can start school with confidence and with the things that they need that I wasn’t able to acquire for them,” she said. 

Garcia-Moreno learned her family had been nominated for the event through her Community Connection for Child Care caseworker. It was a phone call she never expected to receive.

“I cried,” she said. “It was one of those moments where you realize that someone sees your family’s struggles and they want to help. It reminded me that kindness still exists, and it gave me so much hope.”

Throughout the morning, she watched her grandchildren eagerly pick out new shoes, clothing, and other back-to-school essentials. Seeing their excitement reminded her that the experience is about much more than school supplies — it’s about creating joyful memories her family will cherish long after the school year begins.

Garcia-Moreno said she is deeply grateful for the volunteers and community partners who made the shopping spree possible, adding that their generosity provides encouragement to families during difficult times and serves as a reminder that a caring community can truly change lives.

Reflecting on another successful year, Perez said the shopping spree continues to demonstrate what is possible when organizations work together to support children and families.

“I am reminded of Helen Keller’s words: ‘Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much,'” Perez said. “I am proud to work for an organization that supports families and children, and to collaborate with other community partners to expand our impact.”