YMCA Bright Beginnings, now in its 21st year, is taking 2,200 children from low-income families on back-to-school shopping trips in August with the help of more than 3,000 volunteers. From Aug.3-8, 465 area children (350 in Richmond, 115 in Fredericksburg) received new shoes from Saxon Shoes as part of this program. That comes to an in-kind donation value of just over $23,700. This is Saxon Shoes’ fifth year partnering with the YMCA Bright Beginnings program.

Children who participate in YMCA Bright Beginnings take a trip to a local Target or JCPenney store, where they are paired with adult volunteers who help them shop for two fall outfits, shoes, socks, and underwear. The children who benefit from the Saxon Shoes donation spend the money that they would have spent on shoes on other clothing.

The Y selects children who receive financial assistance in its summer camps and child care, and also coordinates the participation of several of its community partners, including Children, Incorporated and the Peter Paul Development Center.

More information on YMCA Bright Beginnings can be found at http://www.ymcarichmond.org/brightbeginnings Saxo.n Shoes is located in Fredericksburg and Short Pump Town Center. For more information, visit http://www.saxonshoes.com