ANAHEIM, Calif. – (July 31, 2017) – Nine children experienced a back-to-school shopping spree like no other July 12. The kids will head to class in mid-August with brand new clothes, Angels Baseball gear, and photos and memories they will keep forever. Leaders at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula offered to bring the nine Inland Empire youngsters of all ages to Angel Stadium for the team’s annual Back to School Clothing Drive. The children’s parents hoped they would be able to attend a back-to-school shopping event for underserved kids in the Temecula region, but because of high demand for assistance, the nine were left on a waiting list formed by the local chapter of the Salvation Army.
With the help of the Salvation Army Southwest Riverside County, the kids, charity organization chaperones, and Pechanga volunteers each were handed a snack bag for the ride, boarded the bus at the resort/casino in the morning and made their way to Angel Stadium. When they arrived, the kids were ushered into the stadium’s Exhibition Hall, an area few people ever get to see. They saw rows upon rows of brand new shirts, pants, shoes, socks and underwear. Each received an armful of clothing courtesy of Walmart, as well as some brand new Angels gear and school supplies, just in time for the start of school. During the Wednesday afternoon outing, the children and volunteers also received lunch and a personal stadium tour.
“When we learned of children in need being left on a waiting list and possibly not receiving clothes and shoes they need for school, we knew our longstanding partnership with Angels Baseball could help some of those kids in a unique way,” said Edith Atwood, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “Based on their smiles at this shopping spree and Angel Stadium tour, this was a memorable experience.”
“Our sole mission is to help people, and today, we’ll be able to help between 450-600 underprivileged children and teens. This is our way to give back to the community. We see all these kids come in and are able to give them the opportunity to go to school fresh and clean,” said Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl. “What warms my heart is that the kids really appreciate it and they’re so happy to be here. Although this is really an event to brighten their school year, I think we’re the ones who get the most joy out of it!”
The nine children joined over 400+ other underserved kids from Orange County during the Angels Baseball Foundation Back to School Clothing Drive. Riding back to Pechanga on the bus, the kids wore bright smiles, all eager to tell their moms and dads about the day, and show off their brand new clothes on the first day of school. See the kids’ experience at Angel Stadium HERE.