Hundreds attend Youth Appreciation Day at Eastside Salvation Army in St. Paul
The Eastside Salvation Army in St. Paul held its fourth-annual Youth Appreciation Day on Aug. 13, when hundreds of community members received free backpacks (give a donation), school supplies, food, clothing, haircuts, and access to community resources. (View photos.)
The event featured support from many local business owners, including David “Red” Frazier, owner of Just Imagine clothing store and a former Salvation Army Volunteer of the Year. He helped gather hundreds of clothing donations from the community to distribute to families at the event.
“I wanted to provide for these kids so they could have a fresh start to the school year,” Frazier said. “If you look good and feel good, you’re going to excel in school.”
Several politicians attended the event as well, including Reps. Maria Isa Pérez-Vega (District 65B) and Samakab Hussein (65A), Sen. Foung Hawj (65A), and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.
“This event gets bigger and better every year,” said Carter (pictured), who also came to last year’s event. “There are families who have to decide what they are going to go without in order to fill their backpacks. But not today, not here, not on the Eastside – not for the families who are here. This is so cool.”
One of the families that benefitted from the event was a man named Yee and his four kids, ages 2, 6, 8, and 9. Yee has been living in the Eastside community for 38 years. He works in the restaurant industry but struggles to make ends meet.
“My kids don’t have backpacks, so this helps a lot,” said Yee, who sometimes comes to the Eastside Salvation Army to receive food for his family. “The Salvation Army is very kind. They take care of the community.”
The leaders of the Eastside Salvation Army, Majors Scott and Lisa Spicer, were thrilled by the community support they received for this year’s event.
“Many different area businesses and organizations help to make Youth Appreciation Day a success by donating items or services,” Major Lisa Spicer said. “We all want to see our community’s kids thrive and prosper, so coming together in this way will help them start the school year feeling motivated and ready to succeed.”
All month long, Salvation Army service centers in the Twin Cities are providing families with nearly 4,500 backpacks and school supplies to relieve them of the stress and worry of dealing with this added expense. By providing school necessities to these families, their burden is reduced and their children are able to start the school year focused and prepared.
Families seeking assistance with back-to-school needs can contact their nearest Salvation Army service center for information.
Those who wish to help can do so by giving a donation. A gift of just $25 is enough to fill a backpack for a child in need.