On Saturday, August 15, from 6 to 9 a.m., more than 100 Junior League of Houston and Weatherford volunteers will assist children with a one day, back-to-school shopping spree.

Junior Leaguers will meet at the Houston Central Target, 2580 Shearn Street in The Heights area, and collaborate with Cameron Childspree to help Child Advocates, Inc. clients who have been removed from their homes due to life-threatening circumstances.

Each child will be given a $100 gift card and paired with a volunteer to help him or her make back-to-school selections. After shopping, volunteers will then accompany the children to an in-store breakfast party.

This is the second year the Junior League of Houston is providing funds and volunteer time to help meet the needs of abused and neglected children who would not otherwise experience the thrill of getting new clothes and supplies for the first day of school.

Karen Burke, 2009 Family Preservation Director of the Junior League of Houston, recalls last year's experience.

“It was truly one of the most rewarding events I have ever been involved with,” Burke says. “Many of the children were a little apprehensive when they arrived at the store, but it was amazing to see how comfortable our volunteers made them feel. They were able to shop together and have fun. Seeing all of that, you knew that a difference had been made in the child’s, as well as the volunteer’s, life.”

Founded in 1925, The Junior League of Houston, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.