Oceanside CA— This year Chapters for Children looked a little different than in past years because of the Coronavirus. Instead of children walking with their parents into the hall on Camp Pendleton to choose new school clothes the parents drove past booths set-up where the clothes and school supplies were placed safely in their trunks.

The Assistance League of North Coast was one of 7 Assistance League Chapters from San Diego, Orange, and Riverside County to join together in this yearly event. Each Chapter provided different items for the school age children. Some chapters opted to give gift cards this year so that the children did not have to try clothes on. The children received underwear and school supplies from ALNC. Other Chapters gave jeans, sweatshirts, socks, health kits, gift cards for Target, Walmart and Famous Footwear and even bulldog stuffed animals, the bulldog being the Marines’ mascot.

Karen Quimby and Susie Sherry organized 20 ALNC volunteers for the two-day event held September 12th and 13th. Marines from the base set-up pop-ups for each chapter and lugged all the many boxes of clothing for the ladies. Parents had to fill out an application two weeks before and then were assigned a time to arrive and drive through the event, stopping at each booth. Approximately 300 children were provided items for school. There were lots of smiling faces, the volunteers said they really missed having the interaction with the children and their families but were glad the event could still be held.