Friday, August 28, 2026 / Eugene / Lane County
An apple-shaped tag turns into school clothes through Sept. 8
Valley River Center's Giving Tree asks shoppers to buy the item on a tag and return both to the nearby donation bin.
The requests are hanging on apple-shaped tags. Valley River Center's Back-to-School Giving Tree asks shoppers to choose one, buy the clothing item written on it and return the item with its tag to the nearby bin. Donations go to Every Child's Brighter Side Clothing Closet for local children in foster care.
The mall's current event page lists the drive through Sept. 8. KVAL's Aug. 25 report gives the same deadline and the tag-to-bin instructions.
This is a clothing list, not a general collection box. Following the item on the tag keeps the donation matched to a specific request instead of creating a very generous pile of the wrong thing.
Field notes
What changed: Valley River Center opened a back-to-school clothing drive with individual requested items and a Sept. 8 deadline.
Why it matters: The tag system gives donors a concrete way to supply clothing that a local child has actually requested.
Who may be affected: Local children in foster care and Lane County shoppers who want to contribute school clothing.