BURLINGTON - Give a high school gal some spending money and she's likely to head out for the nearest sale.

But Tuesday, members of Ironton High School Key Club were not shopping for themselves. Their trip to the Wal-Mart store in Burlington was a yearly effort to give the pleasure of a shopping spree to some area needy children. They raised the money themselves.

"We do this every year," Key Club President Katie Scherer explained. "We want these kids to know we do care about them and we want them to have some fun. This is something we look forward to."

Scherer said the club members sent letters to the city's elementary schools and asked for names of children who might need and enjoy shopping for spring clothes and other items. Once the 13 girls and three boys were chosen, letters were sent home to their families, asking for permission to take the children shopping.

"This is fun," Key club member Diana Richardson said as she helped choose a pair of shoes for 9-year-old Amy McSorley. And what did Richardson hope McSorley would remember about their day together?

"No matter where you are," Richardson said. "there will always be someone who can help you."