LAYTON -- As soon as she got to the parking lot, Destinee Cummings opened her black-and-purple backpack and showed her mom the items she acquired during a shopping spree.
"Look, Mama, I even got a puzzle book," the 6-year-old Boulton Elementary first-grader said as she displayed the bright-pink princess book.
Destinee, along with her two sisters, Bella Cummings, 9, and Cheyenne Cummings, 7, participated Friday morning in the annual Child Spree at Kohl's in Layton.
"They lost their father a year ago this week from a bad reaction to medication," said their mother, April Fallentine.
Fallentine, who works part time as a waitress, said she received a phone call on the last day of school from the principal, who asked if she would like to participate in the program.
"(The principal) said, 'I hope you won't take offense?' " Fallentine said. "I told her, 'No, I could use the help.' "
The help came to 130 elementary students recommended by their school principals, said Shauna Lund, communication specialist for the Davis School District.
The parents were notified and could choose whether to participate in the program funded through the Davis Education Foundation, which received donations from Citi, Watson Management Inc., Lakeview Hospital, and Davis Hospital and Medical Center.
In the past, the event was held at Mervyns, which has since closed.
On Friday, each student was given a $100 gift card to buy clothing, shoes, underwear and socks. Kohl's took 20 percent off the entire purchase, which was not taxed. Students also received a backpack and a book. McDonald's provided breakfast.
By 6:30 a.m., the parking lot at Kohl's was packed as parents brought their children and volunteers arrived to help with the shopping. Kohl's opened its doors early just for the event.
Volunteers from the school district, city and area businesses lined up on the north end of the entrance and were paired off with the students. Parents stayed in the parking lot while their children shopped.
Mountain View Elementary Principal Don Beatty has volunteered as a shopper for the past 10 years.
Beatty said he really doesn't enjoy shopping, but he loves to see the faces of students on the first day of school.
For many of the students, it's the first time they have received new clothes for school.
And helping a student get a sweatshirt and see him or her wear it to school on a cold, rainy day "is rewarding," Beatty said.
"For more and more families, it is hard for them to have (new clothes)."
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