Apple Tree Campaign delivers more than 5,600 back-to-school items to children at shelter

Above, Lillianna Schwartz receives new back-to-school clothing on Monday. At right, Lexi Dollar cuts Skyler Williams' hair. Children at the Road Home shelter in Salt Lake City have new clothing and school supplies in time for the first day of class. During the Road Home Apple Tree Campaign, apple trees with paper apples featuring specific children's needs were set up during July and early August at various businesses, including DownEast, Payless ShoeSource, Salt Lake-area Staples, Sanctuary Day Spa and Intrepid. Participants selected apples and purchased needed back-to-school items for the children. During the four-week campaign, more than 5,600 items were collected for school-age children living at the shelter. "Most of these children would go back to school with very little, if any, new clothing if not for the kindness of so many who participated in the Apple Tree program," said Celeste Eggert, director of community relations at the Road Home. "It is gratifying to see these children get some fun and useful items during a very trying time in their lives." The children received backpacks filled with shirts, pants, shoes and school supplies. To complete the new look, the children also got haircuts.