The Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation held its 30th annual Back-to-School Shopping Trip on Monday, using a nearly $27,000 shopping fund to help 245 local children buy new clothes.
Organization founder Alma Randolph Crump said the shopping event allows her to give back to families that are in the same situation she was in as a child.
“I recall dreading returning to school on the first day, because you can identify the haves from the have-nots more than any other time. I just wanted to wait a couple of weeks or so before going back, but that wasn’t the case,” Randolph Crump said.
Over the last 30 years, she said the foundation has been able to help more than 17,000 children through the back-to-school program.
Randolph Crump said that each year she can see children excited to shop for new clothes and parents with tears in their eyes. She said she finds herself in the young children excited to purchase something of their own that is brand new and that hasn’t been someone else’s. Over the years, several moments have stuck out to her, reminding her of her purpose in the organization.
She said that during one of the shopping trips, a young girl came to her excitedly and thanked her.
“She said this year, she’ll return to school and won’t have to worry about the other kids making fun of what she had on. She was going to hold her head high and not be embarrassed, and I thought, sweetheart, that’s the very reason this foundation exists,” she said.
Randolph Crump said the foundation raises money through various fundraisers each year. While some years the funds are lower and they haven’t been able to dress as many kids, she said they’ve always sought to meet the need.
The foundation is also celebrate 30 years in another way by hosting a celebration at the Owensboro Convention Center on August 13. There will be performances by the St. Stephen’s Praise Team from Louisville and the Higher Praise Quartet from Greenville, along with other guests.
Tickets will be $12 for adults and $6 for children.
“We decided to lower the ticket prices to $12 and $6 because it’s like a thank you to the community for supporting the foundation for 30 years,” Randolph Crump said.
To purchase tickets, click here.
