Author: LynnB

Encouraging kids to give during the holidays gets them thinking of others

LynnB Media Coverage

The holidays can’t all be about shopping. According to News 12 Connecticut’s “Medical Minute” today, psychologists say that encouraging kids to volunteer and donate during the holidays are great ways to get them thinking about others. And they can do both for Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County. We have a number of volunteer opportunities available for kids, and making a donation in honor of someone is a great holiday gift that can given by kids and adults alike!

Jump to 0:25 to see the CTKF segment of the News 12 Medical Minute video.

 

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving low-income or in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

We envision a community in which every child has quality clothing so that he or she may attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success. Our mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis school age children, free of charge.

 

We’ve joined the movement! #GivingTuesday is Nov 29

LynnB Events

givingtuesday_new

Help us clothe a child and change a life

This year, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County will celebrate the official start of the charitable giving season on #GivingTuesday!

On Tuesday, November 29 individuals, communities and organizations around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Get involved on #GivingTuesday and help Clothes To Kids make a difference for low-income and in-crisis students in Fairfield County. $50 provides one child with a full week’s worth of school clothes. 

Join CTKF on #GivingTuesday, November 29, 2016.   

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community and your company to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join the movement!

“New Stamford charity brings shopping experience to children” Stamford Advocate

LynnB Media Coverage

Read the Stamford Advocate’s wonderful piece on the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County, and the opening of our new store (published October 13, 2016).

Here’s an excerpt:

One of the first customers Thursday was Stamford resident Tania Milla, who was picking out clothes for her 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. “My daughter really needs winter clothes,” she said, as she browsed through the girl’s section. Milla praised the organization and said she’s already spreading the word to her friends. “This is very good for the people who need it,” she said.

Open House at the CTKF Store

LynnB Events

 

Click to print the flyer

Do you know a school child (K-12) in Fairfield County who needs clothing?  Visit the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County open house to learn how they can receive two free wardrobes a year!

Our mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to students from low-income or in-crisis families. Students receiving free or reduced lunch letter are eligible to shop at CTKF. Referrals are made by approved community advocates, such as teachers, guidance counselors, and social workers.

Please swing by the new CTKF Store if you are interested in referring a student or a family, or want to learn more about Clothes To Kids. We’d love to meet you!

CTKF Open House

September 28, 29, and 30 – 12:00-2:00pm
Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County Store
Located in the Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club
90 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford
Google map

Stop by on the 29th for a ribbon cutting ceremony with Stamford Mayor David Martin, Mike Cotela (Executive Director of the Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club), and Elaine Rubinson (Executive Director of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County).

 

For more information, contact Elaine Rubinson at (203) 533-9846 or elainer@clothestokidsfairfieldcounty.org.

Print the flyer

Save the Date! Cook for Kids Fundraiser, Dec 1

LynnB Events

Join Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County as we host our first annual Cook for Kids Fundraiser!

December 1, 2016
6-8pm @ Aitoro in Norwalk CT

Come prepared for a special evening filled with great food and great wine. Watch local chefs in action as they prepare their favorite appetizers. Silent auction and live music too.

All proceeds will benefit Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County.

YES coaches volunteer in the store

LynnB Volunteering
YES coaches volunteer in the store

An energetic group of coaches from Youth Elite Soccer (YES)—a Shelton-based company specializing in developing, leading, and staffing youth soccer programs across the country—spent the morning volunteering at the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County store. The YES coaches teach, empower, and inspire youth on a daily basis, and the Clothes To Kids mission is one they were delighted to support.

The team of coaches were eager to lend their help wherever needed. They were busy assembling clothing racks for the store, sorting through boxes of donations and hanging clothing, rearranging furniture, and moving heavy items to and from the warehouse. Volunteers play an essential role in our organization and the assistance provided by the coaches, in preparing the store for future shoppers, was greatly appreciated. Their volunteer day was coordinated by another dedicated CTK volunteer, Kristen Cognetta. Thank you Kristen!

We are busy getting ready to open the new Clothes To Kids Store for back-to-school shoppers. The store is located at the Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club in downtown Stamford.

IMG_7881

 

Thank you Newman’s Own Foundation

LynnB Our Partners
Thank you Newman’s Own Foundation

Dear Newman’s Own Foundation,

First let us just say, thank you! Your recent grant support means you understand just how important it is to provide new and quality used clothing to low-income and in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County. We envision a community in which every school-age child has quality clothing so that he or she may attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success. With more than 47,600 children, or approximately 33.5% of school age children in Fairfield County eligible to receive free or reduced-price school lunches, we have our work cut out for us.

The Newman’s Own Foundation grant funds will be put to immediate use. We are busy stocking our new Clothes To Kids store, as we prepare to open for back-to-school shoppers. Every eligible child may shop twice a year for a week’s worth of clothing, all free of charge. Families will shop by appointment, and shoppers can browse a wide variety of clean, stylish, top quality clothing to select what they like best. Dressing rooms will be provided to ensure a comfortable fit.

Our sincerest thank you!

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County

 

Join us for brunch on May 15!

LynnB Events
Join us for brunch on May 15!

Get to know Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County and join us for a free brunch on May 15!

We’re excited to share our story with members of the community. Come to learn more about our organization and our many volunteer opportunities.

We will also be accepting clothing donations, so jump into your spring cleaning early and bring any clothing donations for kids (K-12th grade) with you! See our complete list of accepted items.

Brunch details

Sunday, May 15, 2016
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20 Forest Street, Stamford, CT 06901
Click here to RSVP
Click here for the event flyer

**Please RSVP by May 11**

Who we are

Clothes To Kids was founded in 2002 in Clearwater, Florida. Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is a new affiliate, started in fall 2015 to serve low-income or in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Our mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to these children, all free of charge.We envision a community in which every child has quality clothing so that he or she may attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success.

 

“Spring Clean Your Closets” Clothing Drive | April 30-May 14

LynnB Events

SpringClean2016_webgraphic_v02_1

Look no further than your own closet for donations to Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County’s first ever “Spring Clean Your Closets” Clothing Drive, April 30-May 14, 2016.

Do you have clothing that no longer fits?  Or perhaps some things you haven’t worn for a while? Take this opportunity to perform a deep cleanse on your closet! Items that you no longer need may be an absolute treasure to someone else.

What we need

Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County gladly accepts quality new and gently-used clothing and shoes that would be appropriate for kids (grades K-12) to wear to school.

All items and sizes are needed at this time. Please ensure they are clean and in good condition:

  • tops (any kinds, tshirts, polos, long-sleeved, short-sleeved, sweaters, sweatshirts)
  • bottoms (to include, pants, jeans, shorts, skirts)
  • dressier items (blazers, suits and dressy dresses for girls; sports jackets and suits for boys)
  • coats and jackets (both lightweight and winter)
  • shoes (boots, slip-ons, tennis shoes)
  • all undergarments** (new socks and underwear)
  • we also accept belts, purses, hats, jewelry, backpacks, and winter accessories and will allow these as part of the wardrobe as available.

 **We cannot accept used underwear or socks. New items must be in unopened packages. Gently-used bras are okay.

Schedule a pick-up or drop-off!

To arrange a scheduled pick-up or drop-off during the clothing drive, please contact:

If you live in CT:  Call or text Elaine at (203) 533-9846, or elainer@clothestokidsfairfieldcounty.org

If you live in NYC:  Call or text Alexandra at (203) 984-5017, or alexandrak@clothestokidsfairfieldcounty.org

 

We need your help to get our new Clothes To Kids store fully stocked and ready to open!  

Click here to print the flyer.

 

KidsHelpingKids_logoMany thanks to our partner Kids Helping Kids, for spreading the word!