Save the date for the Fourth Annual NCJW Back 2 School Store, Sunday, August 5, 2012

The 2011 NCJW Back 2 School Store was the largest event yet!

See our B2SS photos
See our B2SS ad in the NJ Jewish News
Thank you to our sponsors!

Close to 400 volunteers, some starting back in October, worked tirelessly to purchase clothes, inventory merchandise, liaison with social service agencies, set up the "store," and raise funds to ensure that nearly 500 economically disadvantaged children from Essex County were equipped to head back to school with the clothing and supplies they need.

The third annual event, on July 31, enabled children to "shop" for brand-new clothing, sneakers, and school supplies in a one- day-only "store" set up just for them in 4,000 square feet of space provided by B'nai Shalom in West Orange.

With the assistance of NCJW volunteer personal shoppers, each child was escorted throughout the department-store-like space to select pants, shirts, sneakers, undergarments, a winter jacket, and a backpack in their favorite colors and styles. Each child also received school supplies – including binders, notebooks, pencils, a calculator, and a dictionary – as well as a small supply of personal care items. All of the merchandise is brand new, purchased or donated by NCJW and its sponsoring partners.

While the children "shopped" inside the "store," parents browsed the Gaelen Family Resource Center, where, they picked up health and social service information from more than 20 different exhibitors. Outside, the parents made good use of the UMDNJ mobile medical van to get screenings for blood pressure allergies, asthma, cholesterol, and glucose.

Download the Back 2 School Store 2011 Media Fact Sheet

Heard Around the Back 2 School Store and Gaelen Family Resource Center

I've never experienced such a project. Tzedaka is about equality, justice and dignity, and this project got it right.
–Rabbi Robert Tobin, B'nai Shalom

The event was explained to me, and I thought I had an idea of what the day would be like, but you just can't even imagine until you see it. I feel like I made more of an impact in these four hours than in hundreds of hours of other volunteering in the past. I would definitely do it again and I already told a half dozen people, including my husband, who will join me.
–Nicole Lenner, Volunteer from Short Hills

Coming here today renews my faith in the generosity and goodness of people, especially right now.
–Mila Jasey, N.J. State Assemblywoman

This has helped me a lot. I could barely afford most of this.
–Parent of B2SS "shoppers"

While the Back 2 School Store was answering the children's needs, the Family Resource Center was answering the parents' needs.
–Audrey Gaelen, sponsor of the Gaelen Family Resource Center

I saw a lot of people using the facilities in a positive way –it was awesome.
–Norbert Gaelen, sponsor of the Gaelen Family Resource Center

My best thing is these sneakers! I had a great man [personal shopper] and very funny. We checked off stuff I need. I can do it every year.
–Denzel, third-grade "shopper"

My wife volunteered last year and was very moved. So I joined her this year. It's certainly an impressive project.
–Marc, volunteer

A child told me he was so happy to have his own toothbrush. He never had one before! When you see what you can do to help a child it is so heartwarming and you feel ten feet tall. What an experience!
–Donald Legow, volunteer from Livingston

Raising money is one thing. What you've done, getting people to commit their time, is another. Seeing all these volunteers with red, blue and green aprons is a symbol. To get it done to this critical mass in three short years is amazing. When you see this it makes you want to work harder. The more you participate, the more the more you want to see the impact on somebody's life.
–Rudy Fernandez, Mayor of Livingston

I have four kids. This has helped me a lot. I could barely afford most of this. We've been coming for three years and the kids like coming here.
–Elika, parent of B2SS "shoppers"

Considering the number of people, it's amazingly organized. It's such a happy thing!
–Marilyn, volunteer

I saw a kid come out of the store in a camouflage jacket and hat, with a big grin and with a great big "ahh!" – as though he'd just landed!
–Janice, volunteer

It's great because a kid doesn't get this stuff, and they never get it for free. My favorite things were this great new book bag and notebooks.
–Bismarck, fourth-grade "shopper"

I feel great and happy.
–Faustina, first-grade "shopper"