Now that many kids are back in school, our thoughts are turning towards fall and (shudder) winter and the inevitable cold days ahead. For some families in Lake County, these are not just thoughts, but fears and feelings of intense dread. If you can imagine being faced with the inability to provide warm clothes for your kids for the winter, you would share those same thoughts. As parents, we try our hardest to provide for our children’s needs, but sometimes life gets in the way.
In 2010, an elementary student arrived at school wearing winter boots that were falling apart at the seams. Not only was she provided with new socks and boots, but she inspired a new community of giving, and Caring for Kids Clothing (C4K) was born. That month 111 additional children were also helped through similar situations.
The goal of C4K is to identify children who need clean, warm, and well-fitting clothing in Lake County and Kenosha. The referrals are provided by school principals, nurses, and social workers who identify kids that need these essentials. According to C4K Board Member Brenda Rainey,
Through the generous support of corporate, individual sponsors, and also money raised at fundraising events, C4K is able to provide these items.
Then the clothing is hand-delivered to children at school in signature purple bags around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Over the past six years, C4K has helped hundreds of local kids. The organization’s goals for the future include inspiring new individuals and organizations to become involved so that they can reach out to new schools and help even more students.
Rainey says,
Individuals who would like to get involved can sponsor an assigned little boy or girl by donating some essential items, helping at our fundraising events, or organizing future events.
Some of the specific items that kids in the community need include:
- school uniform shirts (navy blue or white) – children’s size 6 to 16,
- school uniform pants (navy blue only) – children’s size 6 to 16,
- sweatshirts (navy blue or white) – children’s size 6 to 16,
- sweaters (navy blue or white) – children’s size 6 to 16,
- socks – children’s sizes (all) and some adult sizes,
- underwear – children’s size 6 to 16,
- undershirts – children’s size 6 to 16,
- gym shoes –children’s sizes (all) and some adult sizes,
- winter coats – children’s sizes (all) and some adult sizes,
- winter boots – children’s sizes (all) and some adult sizes,
- winter hats,
- winter gloves, and
- winter scarves.
View C4K’s upcoming events online and find out ways that you and your family can become involved. What a great way to teach your kids about helping others–by providing for friends and neighbors in our own communities!
Caring for Kids Clothing
Facebook
Caring for Kids Clothing is our fourth quarter charity partner as part of our Little Lake County Gives Back program, a community outreach effort to connect not-for-profit organizations with our readers. For more information on the program, please contact Melissa at [email protected].
Leave a Reply