The National Council of Jewish Women held their 8th annual Back-To-School! Store at the Central Reform Congregation on Sunday. The event provides new clothes and school supplies to children to get them excited about learning and returning to school.
With all the sad and sometimes depressing news that has been going lately it was nice to cover a positive and uplifting event. The happiness on the faces twins Brittany Johnson and Briana Johnson could be seen across the room as they tried on new winter coats. The joy the Johnson kids felt was reflected by their adult volunteers, Leigh Frackt and Ellen Soule, who seemed to be having as much fun as the kids.

This year the the group helped 875 kids. But by 2010 they hope to help 1,000 children. “The hardest part of this is turning kids away, and we have to do that every year,” said Nancy Weighley, the Program Director for the St. Louis section of the National Council of Jewish Women. For those interested in making a donation to help them make their goal next year, call the National Council of Jewish Women at 314-993-5181.