Clothe a Child, Change a Life
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.
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.
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.
I want to officially welcome Vicki Puciato and Mary Boehlert to the Board of Directors for 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.
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
With your help we raised $7,306 during Fairfield County Giving Day, the incredible 24-hour giving event on March 1, 2018. And, we are thrilled to report that we surpassed the amount we raised last year!
To all of our amazing donors, thank you for continuing your support of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County and for making a generous gift during Giving Day.
As you know, we are committed to providing new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County, Connecticut, free of charge. 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.
Over the next year, your donations will keep the CTKF Store well-stocked with a great selection of school clothing, shoes, and accessories, as we continue to expand our reach and serve more kids and families in need. We provide two wardrobes per year for eligible children in grades K-12, which requires the full spectrum of sizes, from kids to adult sizes. And, we can never have enough new underwear and socks on hand!
Clearly the spirit of philanthropy is strong in our community. Fairfield County Giving Day is a 24-hour giving event where donors from around the region (and beyond) come together to and make a powerful, collective impact by supporting their favorite local nonprofits. 24 hours to give where you live!
Again, we are so thankful for your support during Giving Day. It not only helped us raise crucial funding, but also increased awareness about our important work. Your ongoing investment in our mission is truly valued.
Please enjoy the February 2018 issue of Clothes To Kids Corner, the newsletter of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County.
Join us on March 1, 2018 and donate on Fairfield County Giving Day…24 hours to give where you live!
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 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!
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!
On November 9th Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County raised $28,000 at the 2nd Annual Cook for Kids Fundraiser, exceeding last year’s fundraising efforts by $8,000. Thanks to the amazing support of our financial and in-kind sponsors, event hosts, and everyone who volunteered and attended, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF) will continue its efforts to “clothe a child and change a life”.
Friends and supporters gathered for an entertaining evening as local chefs prepared a tasting feast at Aitoro Appliances in Norwalk CT. While enjoying the delicious food, guests bid on a selection of silent auction items and tried their luck at winning a variety of door prizes. All proceeds will benefit CTKF’s mission to provide in-crisis and low-income school-age children in Fairfield County with two free wardrobes of school clothing a year, so they can attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success.
CTKF executive director, Elaine Rubinson, spoke about how Clothes To Kids captured her heart when she attended their March 2015 fundraiser in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was motivated by their mission statement and intrigued by the creativity used to implement their mission. How wonderful that children shop with dignity at a scheduled time, and not feel as if they were receiving charity! With the help of dedicated volunteers, Elaine started a new CTK affiliate and Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County was incorporated in November 2015.
Sarah Arnold, a social worker and school-family resource facilitator at Roxbury Elementary School, spoke about the impact that Clothes To Kids has had on the families she has referred to the program. CTKF is a lifesaver because it provides children with beautiful clothes that give them dignity and a sense of well-being. That’s often the first step to helping families with many other challenges. Plus, it’s a cheerful and fun place to shop. Everyone who goes loves it!. She also spoke about how poverty can affect families in many ways and that Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County provides these families with a much needed resource. The effect that clothing has on these children is wonderful to see.
Of course, Cook for Kids would not have been possible without the generous financial support of Wells Fargo Advisors, and the effort and time of all the event hosts and in-kind sponsors for the event! And we are so grateful to Aitoro Appliances for opening the doors to their wonderful showroom to raise much-needed funds in support of local children in crisis. Aitoro is a family-owned appliance and electronics store based in Norwalk, CT that has been serving local customers since 1948.
Silent auction highlights included a weekend donated by Steve Berni at his vacation home at Stratton Mountain in Vermont, a custom men’s blazer donated by Stephen Kempson London, a cocktail party for 20 people donated by Susan Kane Catering, and several other items.
Chefs and restaurants participating this year included Newbrook Kitchen, Bar Sugo, Susan Kane Catering, Sol’s Ristorante, Blind Rhino, HAPA Food Truck, A Dash of Salt Catering, The Mumbai Times, RomaNacci Pizza Bar, Osteria Romana, and Fire & Rice. Other event hosts included Kazu Sushi, DiMare Pastry Shop, Donut Crazy, Giovana’s Wine & Spirits, Two Roads Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Company, Samuel Adams, and Stella Artois.
The mission of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is to provide new and quality used clothing to low-income or in-crisis school age children in Fairfield County, Connecticut, free of charge. Without proper clothing, a child can suffer emotionally, physically, and academically. We are committed to ensuring that kids (grades K-12) have quality clothing so they can attend school with the confidence and self-esteem needed to achieve academic success. What makes the Clothes To Kids experience unique is that they get to choose their own clothing at the CTKF Store! Every eligible child shops for two free wardrobes a year, one for warm weather, and one for cool. Each wardrobe is a full week’s worth of clothing, including new underwear and socks.
Learn more about complete program details or call (203) 533-9846 for more information.
Please consider making a donation, no amount is too small.
Please enjoy the Fall 2017 issue of Clothes To Kids Corner, the newsletter of Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County.
Highlights:
CTKF would like to recognize a very special volunteer, Nadine Baccellieri. Nadine is CTKF’s Volunteer Coordinator. She organizes and supervises other volunteers, assists groups with clothing drives, handles administrative tasks for CTKF, and does a fabulous job of keeping us organized! Nadine is very dedicated to the CTKF mission, and we are lucky to have her on our team! Thank you for all that you do for us, Nadine!
