Our Signature Event
Back-to-School Shopping Spree
Every August, 500+ students walk into school wearing brand-new clothes picked just for them—by volunteers who cared enough to learn their favorite color and fill a cart with dignity.
Imagine the look on a child’s face when they lace up brand-new shoes for the very first time.
For hundreds of kids in our community, the first day of school isn’t about fresh starts—it’s about dread. Shoes held together with tape. Shirts worn so thin you can see through them. The quiet fear of being noticed for all the wrong reasons.
Child Spree changes that story. Every August, 500+ students walk into school wearing clothes picked just for them by someone who cared enough to wake up early, watch their video, learn their favorite color, and fill a cart with dignity.
Handpicked with Love
Volunteers learn each child’s favorite color before they shop
One Morning, One Mission
400+ volunteers arrive before sunrise to fill 500+ carts
Head-to-Toe New
$150 per child for shoes, clothes, socks & more
First-Time Feeling
For many, it’s the first time they’ve owned something brand new
Watch the Story
Davis County Starts the School Year with a Shopping Spree
See how community volunteers and generous donors come together every August to make sure hundreds of students start school with confidence, dignity, and brand-new clothes picked just for them.
The Journey
From a teacher’s heart to a child’s first-day smile.
Every Child Spree story begins with an educator who sees a student struggling—and decides to do something about it. Follow the journey from nomination to that magical moment a child sees their new outfit for the first time.
A Teacher Sees the Need
It starts in the classroom. A teacher notices a student wearing the same worn-out clothes every day. Shoes too small. A coat too thin. They know this child deserves better—so they fill out a quiet nomination. No forms for the family. No awkward conversations. Just someone who cares taking the first step.
A Child Shares Their Dream Outfit
Families share their child’s sizes, and students record a short video telling us who they are. Favorite colors. Characters they love. The shoes they’ve been dreaming about. For many, it’s the first time anyone has asked what they actually want to wear. Their eyes light up just talking about it.
A Stranger Wakes Up Early to Shop for Them
Before sunrise on the first Friday of August, 400+ volunteers arrive at Kohl’s. Each one is matched to a single child. They scan a QR code, watch that child’s video, and for the next hour they shop with purpose—picking out clothes, shoes, and accessories as carefully as if they were shopping for their own kid.
Every Bag Is Packed with Care
After checkout, purchases are sorted, labeled by school, and carefully organized for delivery. Volunteer teams make sure every bag is complete. Every tag is removed. Every item is folded and ready to unwrap. It’s not just shopping—it’s gift-giving.
A Child Walks into School Changed
The week before school starts, students receive their new clothes. They try on shoes that actually fit. They pull on a shirt in their favorite color. And when the first day comes, they walk through the doors standing a little taller. No tape on their shoes. No holes in their shirt. Just confidence, dignity, and the feeling that somebody out there cared enough to show up for them.
Community Spirit
The People Behind Child Spree
400+ volunteers from local businesses, churches, and families wake up before sunrise to shop with purpose—picking out clothes, shoes, and accessories for a child they’ve never met but already care about.
What Makes Child Spree Special
Child Spree isn’t a drop-off or a hand-out. It’s a deeply personal, one-to-one experience that connects a community member to a child they’ve never met—through the simple act of picking out the perfect outfit.
One Volunteer, One Child
Every volunteer is matched to a single student. They see the child’s video, learn their favorites, and shop as if they were shopping for their own kid.
Guided by the Student’s Voice
FlipGrid videos let students share who they are—their favorite color, the shoes they dream about, the outfit that would make them feel unstoppable.
Anonymous & Dignified
Students never know who shopped for them. Families never have to ask for help. The entire process is built to preserve dignity and celebrate every child.
Bilingual Support
All family-facing materials, forms, and video instructions are available in English and Spanish so every family feels included.
When a student walks into school in an outfit someone picked just for them, everything changes. That confidence shows up in the classroom, on the playground, in their smile.— Kara Toone
$150 changes a student’s year.
Your gift covers a child’s entire back-to-school wardrobe—clothes, shoes, and confidence on day one. Give once below, or choose monthly to sponsor a student every year.
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you give, shop, translate, or sort—there is a meaningful role for everyone at Child Spree. Here’s how you can be part of the day that changes a student’s year.
Sponsor a Student
$150 sponsors one child’s entire back-to-school wardrobe. It’s one of the most direct ways to change a student’s year.
SponsorShop as a Volunteer
Wake up early, grab a cart, and shop for a child you’ve never met. You’ll watch their FlipGrid video and pick out exactly what they love.
VolunteerRegistration & Logistics
Help check in volunteers, manage materials, collect receipts, and keep things running smoothly at the store.
VolunteerWhat to Expect on Event Day
Child Spree runs like a well-organized relay. Every role matters and every volunteer is supported with clear instructions, printed materials, and a team behind them. Here’s a typical morning:
Check In (6:00 AM)
Arrive at your assigned Kohl’s. Check in at the registration table, receive your volunteer packet with your student’s wishlist, sizing, and QR code to their video.
Leadership RoleWatch the Video
Scan the QR code and watch your student’s FlipGrid video. Hear their favorites, see their personality, and let their voice guide your shopping.
Peer MentorShop with Heart
Grab a cart and head to the aisles. You have $150 to spend on your student. Pick clothes they’ll feel amazing wearing on the first day of school.
Student LeaderCheck Out & Hand Off
Complete your purchase, keep the receipt, and deliver the bags to the sorting area. Volunteers label everything by school for distribution.
AmbassadorFor Families
If your child has been nominated for Child Spree, here’s what you need to know. The process is simple and designed to make your family feel supported every step of the way.
How Students Are Selected
Students are nominated by teachers, school counselors, and school staff who recognize students who could use extra support heading into the new school year. Families do not need to apply.
What We’ll Need from You
- Your child’s current clothing and shoe sizes
- A short FlipGrid video (about 30 seconds) where your child shares their favorite colors, characters, and clothing styles
- A signed consent form (available in English and Spanish)
Video Opt-Out
If your family prefers not to record a video, that’s completely fine. An opt-out form is available in both English and Spanish. Volunteers will still use the sizing and preference information you provide to shop for your child.
What to Expect
Your child’s new clothes will be delivered to their school the week before school starts. Everything is handled with care and privacy—your family’s information is never shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Child Spree takes place on the first Friday of August, early in the morning before stores open to the public. Specific times are shared with registered volunteers and families in advance.
$150 sponsors one child’s complete back-to-school shopping experience. You can sponsor as many students as you’d like. Every dollar goes directly to clothing for a child in need.
Absolutely! Most volunteers are first-timers. You’ll receive a printed packet with everything you need: the student’s sizes, preferences, a QR code to their video, and shopping tips. Experienced site leads are there to help at every store.
Child Spree takes place at multiple Kohl’s locations across the Davis School District. When you sign up as a volunteer, you’ll be assigned to the store nearest you.
Students are nominated by teachers, counselors, and school staff. Families do not need to apply. The nomination process ensures the students who need it most are supported.
No. While the videos help volunteers shop more personally, families can opt out. An opt-out form is available in both English and Spanish. Volunteers will still use sizing and preference information to shop thoughtfully.
Yes! Businesses can sponsor multiple students, provide volunteer teams, or partner with us on logistics and store support. Contact our team to discuss partnership opportunities.
Ready to get involved or have questions? Contact our team and we’ll help you find the right way to be part of Child Spree.