Congregation Or Ami sponsors back-to-school shopping spree

A GOOD FIT—Congregation Or Ami President Sue Gould helps a young shopper try on a new outfit at the Mervyn's BackToSchool Children's Shopping Spree. The event allowed at-risk and foster children to pick out new clothes for school. Volunteer members from Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas got up early to participate in the Mervyn's BackToSchool Children's Shopping Spree from 7 to 10 a.m. July 19.

This event is put on jointly by the AdoptaChildAbuseCaseworker Program through the Department of Family & Children's Services in Chatsworth under the direction of Lovette Panthier, coordinator of foster children and parents; the Canoga Park Mervyn's store, which donated $100 gift certificates to the children; Wells Fargo Foothill Division, which donated $1,000 towards the event; and volunteers from Congregation Or Ami synagogue and Canoga Park United Methodist Church, who chaperoned the children and helped them pick out new clothes for school.

"It brings me so much joy to see the kids' faces light up, sharing their laughter with their chaperone volunteers that help them select just what they need," said Or Ami congregant Jaime Rothstein.

"This year was just a reminder that we are all connected as I watched an 8yearold little girl helping another 3year-old little girl find her size shoes and then sitting together trying to weedle the shoes on," said Rothstein.

"This is a wonderful way to come together as a community and help those in need," said Deborah Echt-Moxness, ACAC coordinator for Or Ami. "It is an absolute privilege to be able to work with these kids. It is hard to know who is helping whom when you see the smiles and gratitude on everyone's faces."