The boys got in and out quickly while the girls took their time, but everyone emerged from the store with great big smiles, the chaperones included.

The event was the annual back-to-school shopping spree on Aug. 14, sponsored by the Brentwood Rotary Club and Kohl’s Department Store and benefiting more than two dozen low-income children selected from the after-school program at the Village Community Resource Center. About 30 service club members and their spouses, armed with size and preference information by parents, helped the kids ranging from 5 to 12 years old pick out new clothes and shoes for the beginning of the school year.

The shopping spree has been a Rotary mainstay for years, the last two of which have been in partnership with Kohl’s. In addition to special pricing, store manager Wendy Robertson and her employee volunteers helped escort shoppers and provided after-shopping snacks of juice, fruit, bagels and sweet rolls.

According to Rotary spokesperson Theresa Coffman, most of the boys and their chaperones finished shopping quickly; the girls however, took a little more time, coordinating color choices and variety of outfits. Once outside, though, the quiet young boys shed their shyness and were seen showing off their purchases with the same animated pride as their female counterparts.

“Most Rotarians who participate in this annual event are so rewarded by the delight of their young shoppers that they make certain to volunteer each year,” Coffman said. “It was a fun morning of sharing and fun for all who participated.”