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SAN DIEGO -- As they have for the last two years, the big yellow busses from five San Diego County school districts started dropping off kids and their parents in the pre-dawn dark. This time, though, they didn't stop until the sun was well up and blazing.

Phil Mickelson (WireImage)

Start Smart, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Foundation's annual back-to-school shopping spree for first- through fourth-graders, this year served approximately 1,500 kids from across the county. That was up by 50 percent over the inaugural event two years ago.

"We're just fortunate to be in a position to help kids and their families," said Mickelson. "We get to see a lot of happy people at these events, but Amy and I get at least as much of a kick out of it as they do."

Both Phil and Amy greeted hundreds of the visitors. While Phil posed for pictures with kids, parents and teachers, Amy helped kids shop for clothes and backpacks. Both their families and several friends volunteered to help get an awful lot of people in, around and out of the Murphy Canyon Wal-Mart.

Working with the San Diego County Board of Education, the Mickelson Foundation enlists the aid of elementary school principals to identify children based on need and achievement. Instead of 50 students from each of 20 schools as in the past, this year The Foundation invited 75 kids from each of 21 schools.

"Start Smart is such a high-impact event and sends the clear message that education is important and should be a high priority for all of us," said Randy Ward, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. "It's a wonderful partnership between The Foundation, schools, families and Wal-Mart.

"Many of us are lucky we don't have to worry about clothes or shoes but there are many families that do. If kids don't have shoes, they don't go to school. Start Smart has addressed that need for years and we look forward to continuing the partnership."