Junior High girls receive free shopping
By Loreen Berlin
Soroptimist International of Buena Park held its 12th annual Teen Shopping Spree over the weekend at Buena Park Downtown Mall (BPDT).
Soroptimists members and other volunteer escorts shopped with the seventh and eighth graders. The girls received special discounts for the day at 15 stores in the mall.
Soroptimist members of Buena Park donated $100 for each girl to shop for needed clothing items for themselves.
The annual event has traditionally been held at Christmas time and known as the “Junior High Jingle.” However last year and this year it was decided that February would be less hectic.
The Shopping Spree is a Soroptimist International of Buena Park project, founded by Kelsey Quinn (former Miss Teen Buena Park 2005), who donated the $500 she won through the 2006 “Kids with Heart” program sponsored by BPDT and matched by the Soroptimists.
“Thank you to the Soroptimists for their continued support of my endeavors and especially for this charitable event,” said Quinn. “It means so much to me; thank you to the Soroptimists for being there every step of the way, after noticing there were very few opportunities for teen girls to receive needed clothing.”
Quinn said it’s still a great feeling of accomplishment 12 years later, because in the beginning she wasn’t sure how many girls they could take shopping each year, but together they have been very successful.
“We’re so thankful to BPDT and to Marketing Coordinator Priscilla Perez for their immense help,” said Soroptimist Shopping Spree Chair Bonnie Frawley.” “This shopping spree really shows the generosity of people’s hearts and the girls and parents are always very appreciative; people give because they see this is a good cause,” said Frawley. “The people’s charity has touched my heart on so many levels.”
Fourteen volunteer escorts for the day included Miss Buena Park and Court members; Soroptimist members and other volunteers included Tricia Mauller, Debbie Vanderwest, Mary Walker, Mary Sutherland, Beverly Miller, April Ortega, and Chairperson Bonnie Frawley and Founder Kelsey Quinn.
In the spring and fall, Soroptimists hold garage sales to support the Junior High Shopping Spree and other Soroptimist projects that help girls and women within the city of Buena Park.
Soroptimist is currently accepting donations specifically for the teen shopping, which are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to SIBP and mailed to P.O. Box 5183, Buena Park, CA, 90622.
For Soroptimist International of Buena Park information, call Bonnie Frawley at 714-968-4703.
