Thanks to all sponsors, shoppers, drivers, greeters, servers, and supporters for creating another successful....

AppKIDS Shopping Day 2009

The generosity of people in the High Country shone brightly once again, as did the sun, for the Annual AppKIDS Shopping Spree on Friday, November 13th (KIDS stands for Kindness in Donations and Service).

Over 100 volunteers took 90 of Watauga County’s financially disadvantaged school children (grades K-12) for a day of shopping for necessary winter clothing, shoes and boots. Over $13,500 was raised—75% from ASU employees and 25% from local businesses and each child was awarded $150 for the day.

Several local merchants offered discounts to the shoppers: Belk’s, Maurice’s, Sage Sport, Shoe Dept., Sports Fanatic, Old Navy, Hibbett Sports, Mast General Store, Walden Books and Wal-Mart. Co-chaired this year by Laura Young and Cathy Ziegler, this was the 29th year the event has been sponsored by the ASU Staff Council.

The children’s shopping day started with breakfast at the Broyhill Inn sponsored by the Chancellor’s office. Students were paired with their shopper mentor and given a backpack or tote filled with new school supplies. Staff Council donated the backpacks and ASU employees donated the school supplies.

After a morning of shopping, a kid-friendly lunch was served at the Broyhill Inn sponsored by Business Affairs. The afternoon afforded more shopping and or tour of the campus and games at the Student Union. Students and their many bags were then driven by volunteers back to their school or homes. A great day was had by all!

Want to get involved in AppKids Shopping Day? 

The ASU Staff Council sponsors a special shopping day near the winter season for about 90 financially disadvantaged children from about nine schools in the Boone area.  Shopping is done during school hours. Volunteers meet their assigned child at the Broyhill for breakfast, then become mentors for the child for the shopping day.  Mentors drive their assigned children to participating area stores and using donations assist the children in purchasing coats, boots, and other essential clothing items. Staff Council has sponsored this event for 29 years.

To help or learn more, contact:  Co-Chair Laura Young younglv@appstate.edu 262-6658, then x527.

Donations are tax deductible.

• Contributions are accepted by check, cash, or payroll deductions.
• Please make checks out to ASU Staff Council with “Children’s Shopping Day donation” in the memo line.
• Mail donations to ASU Staff Council, ASU Box 32056, Boone, NC 28608.
• Please direct Campus Mail to Janice Voss, Graduate Studies, 232 JET Bldg.
• To donate by payroll deduction, complete this online form: http://www.give.appsta...rolldeduct.html. Then, print and send it via campus mail to Meredith Cockerham cockerhamml@appstate.edu, 3rd floor Founders Hall (Advancement Services, Supervisor of Gift Processing).  Note: the minimum payroll deduction is $5 per month for 6 months.

Volunteers:

• "Shoppers" become a mentor and escort a child/youth for the full school day (7:45am-4pm) to shop for clothing using donated funds.
•  “Drivers” pick up children at an assigned school and deliver them to a particular location on campus to meet the child’s  Shopper.  Drivers work from about 7:30 - 8:30 am and 8:15 - 8:45 am depending on the school assigned.
• "Greeters” greets children at the rear entrance and escorts them to the designated spot  for their particular school where they will meet their shoppers.   Greeters volunteer between 7:45 am-8:30 am.
•  ASU Community Service Leave may be used for this program.
•  To sign up, email Committee Co-chair, Cathy Zeigler:   zieglercc@appstate.edu or phone 828-262-7350.