Our Partners

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!

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Celebrating two clothing donation partners, The Undies Project and Groove

LynnB Our Partners

clothing donation partners the undies project and groove childrens clothing

We are so grateful for the amazing generosity of our clothing donation partners, The Undies Project and Groove clothing. Two very different organizations, one a nonprofit charity and one a clothing store for kids. Both have both been providing a continuous supply of much needed new clothing for the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County store.

New underwear is one of our greatest needs

New underwear is always one of our most needed items. Every child that shops at the CTKF store receives seven pieces of new underwear as part of the CTKF Wardrobe, a full week’s worth of school clothing. The Undies Project is a nonprofit based in Cos Cob, CT that distributes donations of new underwear to organizations that help those in need, including Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County!

Founded in 2015, the inspiration to create The Undies Project came to co-president Lucy Langley when she realized that underwear is the most under-donated and most needed item of clothing. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go without this basic necessity that many of us take for granted. Hygiene and physical comfort are only a part of this basic human need. New, clean underwear also provides dignity and self esteem.

We couldn’t agree more. Thank you Team Undies Project!

new underwear donations for the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County clothing store
The Undies Project co-presidents Lucy Langley, left, and Laura Delaflor personally deliver donated new underwear to the Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County clothing store in Stamford, CT.

 

Providing kids with top quality, stylish clothes

Groove is a a one-stop-shop kids clothing store in Westport, CT, which offers the latest selection of on-trend clothes and accessories from popular brands. We connected with Groove in November 2016, and ever since they have donated loads of fun clothing and accessories (backpacks, jewelry, etc.) to the CTKF clothing store. All new, fabulous, and funky sale items from their store.

Donations from Groove have helped keep our shelves stocked with quality, new, and in-style clothing for boy and girls. Thank you Team Groove!

Groove kids clothing store donates top quality stylish new clothing to Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County
Groove childrens clothing store in Westport, CT

Runway Ready

Kristen Cognetta Events, Our Partners
Photos by Maribel Sandalo of the Boys & Girls Club

This spring, the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford held a fabulous night of fashion! The fashion show is a special annual Boys & Girls Club event that the members look forward to each year. Children ages 5-10 years were among the future runway models participating, and wore clothing proudly provided by Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County. With so many great options donated by our supporters, the children were able to show off their unique, individual styles while wearing clothing they felt comfortable and confident in. Not only were they able to walk the runway wearing awesome clothing, but they were able to take their selections home to keep as new wardrobe items!

Wellness Day fundraiser benefits Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County

LynnB Events, Our Partners

 

The Art of Control added a little heart to its mind/body programming, when it hosted a yoga and Pilates fundraising event to support Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County. Participants focused on strengthening, stretching, and stamina while working through a variety of yoga, Pilates apparatus and mat exercises. The wellness day event was held at Synergy Health and Fitness in Stamford, with all proceeds going to Clothes To Kids, which provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County, Connecticut—free of charge.

It was an inspiring evening, full of great core work and overall conditioning and good vibes, led by top Pilates instructors”, says Leslie Caney Berni, owner of Breathe Fitness LLC, who attended the event.

Instructors included Art of Control owner Simona Cipriani, a second-generation Authentic Pilates instructor for 20 years, and expert yoga and Pilates instructor Francine Morina. CTKF is grateful to our wonderful partners at the Art of Control!

 

 

Start Your Own Drive at a Starbucks Near You!

Kristen Cognetta Our Partners, Volunteering

CTKF has set up collection baskets at several Starbucks locations in Fairfield County, and we are looking for volunteers to help us continue to organize drives at Starbucks across the county! New packages of underwear, boxers, and socks are accepted in baskets on behalf of CTKF clients inside Starbucks stores. Items ranging from youth to adult sizes are collected for both boys and girls, ages 5-18 years old! If you are a frequent Starbucks customer, or have a desire to help children in need have access to these necessities, contact us to get your drive started!

Prefer to donate new socks or underwear? Current participating Starbucks Coffee locations ready to accept drop-offs include:

  • 1079 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT
  • 96 Broad St, Stamford, CT
  • 90 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT

Download the Drop Your Drawers poster (11″x 17″)