Author: LynnB

Kids Helping Kids volunteers donate school-ready backpacks

LynnB Media Coverage, Our Partners

During the Kids Helping Kids “Smiles for School” volunteer day, two dozen backpacks filled with essential school supplies were donated to Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County. Just in time, as our back to school preparations are in full gear!

“Smiles For School” is a volunteer project for elementary aged students entering grades 1-5. It was started by a 1st grader, Conor, who wanted to help other kids that could not get their own school supplies. The youth volunteers (and their parents/guardians) gathered to pack the new school bags on Saturday, August 3rd at the CTKF Store in Stamford. The kids decorated pencil cases with their own unique designs, and then packed up new backpacks with needed school supplies for elementary-aged kids who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

CTNEWS 12 interviews Kids Helping Kids volunteers at the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County Store

Supplies included in the backpacks:

– 2 pocket plastic folders

– Large glue sticks

– Washable markers, colored pencils and crayons

– Fiskars/kids scissors

– #2 Pencils

– New underwear or socks for boys and girls

As an organization, Kids Helping Kids talks with their volunteers about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in our world. The ultimate goal for “Smiles For School” was to spread cheer about the upcoming school year!  Thank you Team KHK!

[foogallery id=”6007”]

 

Team CTKF will ride the 2019 TD Five Boro Bike Tour!

LynnB Events

RIde for Team CTKF 2019 TD Five Boro Bike Tour

For the first time, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County will participate as a charity partner in the 2019 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. On May 5, 2019, members of the inaugural Team CTKF will join 32,000 cyclists from all walks of life and representing every state in the nation and dozens of countries around the world. From lower Manhattan, they will ride 40 miles through the five boroughs of New York City on car-free streets, including over the Queensboro and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridges.

The world’s largest charitable bike tour

We are thrilled to be part of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour this year. The proceeds from this popular bucket-list event go toward Bike New York’s free bike education programs, and many riders will also participate on behalf of one of dozens of charity partners. That’s us, Team CTKF! Bike New York’s bike education program has grown to become the largest of its kind in the country—this year alone, more than 26,000 kids and adults in all five boroughs learned bike skills.

To learn more about the Tour, visit Bike New York.

There’s nothing on Earth quite like riding 40 miles through car-free New York City streets!

Join our team!

As a member of our team, your fundraising efforts provide quality clothing for children in-need in Fairfield County, Connecticut, so they can attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success. Riding for Team CTKF also provides some great perks! With Charity Rider status you’ll have guaranteed entry to the Tour, preferred start at the top of the Tour, special access to dedicated charity rider areas, and pre- and post-ride food. Team CTKF riders will also receive customized apparel and personalized fundraising tools.

Spots are limited. Learn more about joining Team CTKF!

[foogallery id=”5524″]

Crowdfunding new bathing suits for kids in need in Fairfield County!

LynnB Events

https://theimpactvine.org/project/bathing-suits/

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF) is hoping to raise approximately $1500.00 this summer to purchase new bathing suits for kids using the newly renovated swimming pool located inside the Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club and for those eligible to shop at CTKF.

Last year a decision was made to conduct a clothing drive for “new bathing suits” given that kids feel embarrassed, humiliated, and ashamed wearing suits that are torn, stained, and do not fit properly. Purchasing new bathing suits is certainly not a priority on a limited budget. Kids will forego going swimming and taking swimming lessons if they feel that the suit they are wearing does not look good on them.

CTKF’s decision to purchase “new suits” was a huge success. CTKF provided approximately 86 new bathing suits last year. We would love to double that total. Though a new suit is an accessory, the psychological value a new bathing suit provides to a child is immeasurable. Kids with new suits are eager to acquire swimming skills and eager to go to the beach because they do not feel different from their peers, they fit in.

This project will raise the funds needed to cover the costs to purchase:

  • 172 bathing suits
  • at approximately $8 – $10 each

for young boys and girls, because every child deserves an opportunity to learn to swim and to enjoy the summer months.

Cost to purchase 172 new bathing suits for local children: $1,500

Give Now

Your entire donation made on The Impact Vine is tax-deductible. 

New logo, new look, our purpose stays the same

LynnB General

You are going to see a lot of purple moving forward at Clothes To Kids. It’s because we’re rolling out our new logo. It’s a purple coat.

Why purple? Why a coat? The story goes like this…

On a rare, cold Florida morning, Marie McClung (Co-Founder of Clothes To Kids) got a call from her sister. She had a little girl in her classroom who wouldn’t be able to go outside for gym class without a jacket. Marie ran to the store and bought a purple coat in just the right size. When she dropped off the coat Marie was touched by the deep gratitude of this little girl, who looked up at her smiling big brown eyes and offered a huge hug!

In spring 2002 Marie was telling the story of the little girl and the purple coat to Jode Eye (CTK’s other Co-Founder). It sounded all too familiar to Jode, who had many students without adequate clothing, they even lacked socks and underwear. Together, Jode and Marie were determined that every child should have a coat to wear at recess, and school clothing so that they could go to school and focus on learning. Clothes To Kids was born.

Bringing the CTK vision to Fairfield County

Clothes To Kids has come a long way since that first purple coat. Over the years multiple CTK affiliates have opened around the country, inspired by the wonderful work being done by the founders. Each one dedicated to bringing happiness and improved self esteem, and of course quality school clothing, to low income and in crisis school-age children in their own local communities.

As you may already know, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is a proud affiliate! In fall 2015, Executive Director Elaine Rubinson began mobilizing volunteers and we welcomed our first shoppers to the CTK of Fairfield County store in October 2016.

We are excited to share this story about the purple coat and why its meaning is a symbol of our mission, along with our tagline, Clothe a Kid, Change a Life.

Welcoming two new board members

LynnB Volunteering

I want to officially welcome Vicki Puciato and Mary Boehlert to the Board of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF). It is very exciting to have the vision of CTKF confirmed by the interests of others. After all, we are only as good as the board members and volunteers who move the organization forward to fulfill our mission. It is one thing for me to think that CTKF is amazing in how it distributes clothing and improves the overall functioning of a family and the academic achievement of those eligible for our services, but to have others see the organization through the same lens is a wonderful experience.

[foogallery id=”5254″]

 

Both Vicki and Mary were inspired by our vision that every school age child deserves quality clothing so that he or she may attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success. Vicki first expressed an interest when she understood that CTKF is unique in how we provide clothing to the kids eligible for our services. She became very excited when she learned that the children make an appointment to shop with a personal shopper! Mary first became interested when she read an article in the Connecticut Bar Association magazine that was published prior to the actual opening of our CTKF Store. Mary has young children and understands first-hand the importance of clothing in a child’s development, and the cost of providing kids with the clothing they desire.

While it  is very difficult to ascertain the composition of a good board, I think for a new non-profit CTKF has been quite successful. Our board works exceedingly well to make certain the decisions made are the best for those we serve and overall, for CTKF. The board is comprised of individuals who really care about children, and care about helping them grow into the best people they can become. We all remember what life was like growing up and the difficulties we encountered. The diversity of our board members will greatly enhance the future direction of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County.

-Elaine Rubinson, Executive Director