Hundreds of people in Northern Virginia are opening their hearts and wallets to children in need.

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They're helping kids from grades K-12 cross off their back-to-school lists - without spending a dime.

Belen Medina is a personal shopper-for-day, guiding dozens of financially-stressed families through mountains of clothes and school supplies and gifting them with freebies along the way.

She's among the many volunteers at the annual School Dressing Days at Bragg Hill Family Life Center in Fredericksburg.

She grew up on the receiving end and is now giving back.
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This heartwarming display of neighborly love has been playing out for forty-plus years.

"We're giving away a new pair of jeans, a new shirt, a new backpack, 2 new pairs of socks, 2 new pairs of underwear, school supplies based on their grade and toiletries which include bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste," says Erin Faulconer, an organizer.

Last year, the Interfaith Community Council outfitted 1,600 needy children, head-to-toe.

This weekend...that number could climb near 2,000.

The giving spirit resumes Saturday from 1-6 p.m. Children who want to shop must bring an ID and mom or dad.

WHAT: School Dressing Days

WHO: Families from Fredericksburg as well Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline counties may participate.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday between 1 and 6 p.m. for those who did not preregister.

WHERE: Bragg Hill Family Life Center, 400 Bragg Hill Drive, Fredericksburg

WANT TO HELP? Send cash donations to Interfaith Community Council Treasurer Clyde Matthews at 1111 Colony Road, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401.