Hands Across Mathews and Mathews County Social Services joined forces on Aug. 8 for the annual Fresh Start Shopping Trip. The project enables school children to purchase clothing, supplies, and other necessities for the upcoming school year.

Twenty-five children were funded by Hands Across Mathews and five were funded by the Mathews Family YMCA’s Bright Beginnings Program, for a total of 30 children. Each child was accompanied by an adult volunteer shopper on the morning bus trip to Gloucester’s Wal-Mart.

The $4,000 in Hands Across Mathews funding for the project was donated by Central United Methodist Men, St. Paul United Methodist Church Willing Workers Class, and anonymous donors.

Fresh Start Coordinator Peggy Leigh said it was a pleasure to help the children get off to a good start for the new school year. The shopping trip ended with a picnic lunch provided by the Mathews Rotary Club for the children, their parents and the adult shoppers.

Contributions for the prog...