Author: Kristen Cognetta

Looking to Give Back This Thanksgiving? Volunteer With CTKF on November 29th for #GivingTuesday!

Kristen Cognetta Volunteering

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11-29-2016With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we know this is the time of year when individuals seek ways to give back to the community. With the globally-recognized #GivingTuesday falling on November 29th, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is calling upon you for assistance!

Each eligible child may shop in the CTKF Store (twice in a 12-month period) for a full week’s worth of school clothes. CTKF depends on the efforts of volunteers to maintain the store’s tidiness and presentation, so that every client scheduled for an appointment may have a pleasant and smooth shopping experience. #GivingTuesday will be a day for individual volunteers or groups to come together to help us ensure that our racks are full, replenished, sized appropriately, and ready for families to make their selections.

Consider spending an hour or two assisting in the CTKF store with a few of your closest classmates, friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members. Common projects include hanging and folding clothing, displaying items around the store, arranging clothing in size order, and sorting through new donations. Bring your energy and spirit, have fun working with one another, and provide CTKF with the critical support it needs to help children in Fairfield County communities have access to quality, clean clothing!

Individuals or groups may volunteer between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. To arrange a specific time, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Nadine Baccellieri or call (203) 539-1120. We look forward to seeing you on #GivingTuesday!

Not able to volunteer on #GivingTuesday? Consider supporting CTKF by donating gently used or new clothing. Schedule your drop-off with our Clothing Donation Coordinator, Carrie Franzese, via email or (203) 357-5376. Drop-offs will be accepted between the hours of 11am and 3pm on November 29. To contribute a monetary donation, click here.

CTKF Store 1 Month Progress

Kristen Cognetta General, Volunteering
CTKF's Volunteer Coordinator Nadine Baccellieri assists a client as she shops for clothing for her children
CTKF’s Volunteer Coordinator Nadine Baccellieri assists a client as she shops for clothing for her daughter.

On October 13th, 2016, CTKF opened its doors and began serving families in Fairfield County. CTKF representatives and volunteers have been busy arranging appointments for families and assisting clients with finding the perfect fit, selecting comfortable and warm items, and choosing unique styles that each child will feel confident wearing.

Since our official opening 1 month ago, we have provided over 92 children with wardrobes! For us at CTKF, seeing the smiling faces of children and parents as they leave our store with much needed shopping bags filled with quality clothing is the most wonderful feeling. We are proud to have served Fairfield County families and we are determined to continue providing children with access to clean clothing, free of charge. Additionally, we are grateful for the tremendous efforts of our volunteers –  thank you!

Want to make a difference in the lives of children in Fairfield County communities? We want to hear from you! Learn about our volunteer opportunities here.

Interested in making a donation? Read more about ways to support us here.

Open House & Ribbon Cutting Mark the Official Grand Opening of the CTKF Store

Kristen Cognetta Events, Media Coverage

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The Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF) store opened its doors to the public for a three-day open house event, September 28-30. Guest of honor Stamford Mayor David Martin led the ribbon cutting ceremony as Executive Director Elaine Rubinson proudly looked on. The CTKF team worked tirelessly over the prior four months to reach this highly anticipated moment, and were thrilled to welcome professionals from public schools, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local companies to the open house.

The work that has gone into building, organizing, and maintaining the CTKF store is a collaborative effort from the organization’s enthusiastic founders, board members, and volunteers, all of whom are dedicated to its mission: to provide new or gently used clothing to children in critical need in grades K-12 in Fairfield County communities, all free of charge.

This summer the team was hard at work securing donations, spreading awareness throughout the community, establishing operational and fundraising plans, and renovating the store in order to create a larger, more functional space. Upon stepping foot inside the newly finished and fully stocked CTKF Store, located in Stamford’s Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club, shoppers are greeted with a warm, bright, and welcoming atmosphere. Tidy racks and cubbies are filled with clean, quality clothing. Fun, colorful signage and an easy-to-navigate layout for both youth and young adult clothing, are clear indicators that this space has been well-prepared for shoppers. The “back room” serves as a work space where incoming donations from retail stores, individual donors, and community drives can be washed, sorted, hung up on hangers, placed in bins, or folded.

Elaine Rubinson brings her social service background and expertise to CTKF. She possesses an awareness and understanding that there are circumstances in which it may be financially challenging for parents/guardians to provide new clothing for their children, and is committed to giving families access to well-fitting clothing, free of charge. Over 33% of school age children living in Fairfield County are eligible to shop in the store, which indicates that many families in these communities can benefit from CTKF’s services.

Families and children seeking clothing will find friendly, upbeat and knowledgeable volunteers ready to assist them with their overall shopping experience. CTKF volunteers include high school teens, college students, church and bible study groups, individual community members, local professionals, and those who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth.

We are always looking for new volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering your time to collect or sort items, host a drive, provide operational support, be a personal shopper, or donate gently used/new clothing, please contact Elaine Rubinson at (203) 533-9846 or info@clothestokidsfairfieldcounty.org.

Please consider joining us as we continue in our efforts to clothe a child, change a life!

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