The Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Marietta, on July 26 will host its 16th annual Back-to-School "Shopping" Day for 228 low-income students who take part in the Cool Girls, Inc., program, but the girls won't have to spend a dime.

 Parishioners will provide each of the girls with a new backpack stuffed full of school supplies, toiletries, accessories, undergarments and a new school outfit. 

The day opens with remarks and prayer and then the girls are divided into four groups.  Each group rotates through a dance program, crafts, a meal provided by The Varsity restaurant and the highlight of the day – the parish hall turned shopping mall.

St. Peter and St. Paul’s parish hall will be full of clothing racks stuffed to the brim with new and gently-worn clothing, rows of shoes, tables brimming with purses, jewelry, hair accessories, gadgets, books, and more. 

Each girl goes home carrying a full backpack and two or three large shopping bags stuffed full of goodies -- and won't have spent a cent.

Cool Girls, Inc., was founded in 1989 to serve girls of low-income families living in Fulton and DeKalb counties.  Leaders meet with third- to eighth-grade girls in weekly after-school programs and provide support for academic and real-life issues. They also provide one-on-one mentoring through Cool Sisters volunteers.

To be involved or to donate or sponsor the program, contact Diane at  mrsdrews@bellsouth.net.