CTKF’s First Annual “Cook For Kids” Fundraiser Recap

Kristen Cognetta Events
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On the evening of Thursday, December 1st, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF) held its first fundraising event, “Cook for Kids”. The much-anticipated event was sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors and took place at Aitoro Appliance & Electronics of Norwalk, CT. With over 170 tickets sold, by 6pm, the store was filled with community members in attendance to support CTKF. Aitoro served as the perfect space for the local chefs cooking their delicious creations. Attendees were eager to get a taste of each talented chef’s freshly prepared food.

The Blind Rhino, Romanacci, HAPA Food Truck, Via Sforza, The Mumbai Times, Osteria Romana, Chef Luis, Susan Kane Catering, Grana Pastificio, Washington Prime, Mac It, A Dash of Salt, DiMare Pastry Shop, Garelick & Herbs, Saugatuck Sweets, and Donut Crazy were among the generous and well-regarded chefs, restaurants, and bakers cooking for kids. With various chefs dispersed throughout the store, groups of attendees were drawn in around every appetizing station. The selection of foods were complimented by great quality wines provided by Giovana’s Wine & Spirits. The evening’s atmosphere was set by singer/guitarist Vinnie Ferrone as guests mingled and learned more about CTKF.

CTKF’s Executive Director Elaine Rubinson spoke about the organization’s mission, activities and progress since the grand opening on October 13th, 2016, and recognized the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford – Yerwood Clubhouse Executive Director Mike Cotela for his continued and valued support. Carolina Ahumada, a Social Service Professional at Family Centers of Greenwich, CT, shared inspiring feedback from her clients that have shopped in the store. Carolina described the joy and excitement of her clients receiving quality, clean clothing through shopping at CTKF.

Star 99.9’s radio host Anna Zapp worked her magic, keeping the crowd energized and excited as she promoted the silent auction items, the “Drop Your Cash” collection for new underwear and socks, and the raffle. Guests waited patiently for the results of the highly sought-after auction items, as they sparked lots of buzz throughout the evening. Donors included:

Southwest Airlines, Chef Luis, Morina Pilates and Yoga, Ralph Lauren, Merrill Lynch, The New York Rangers, The New York Giants, Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Bartaco, Rizzutto’s, She lala, Evander Preston, Art of Control, Earth Animal, CST50, Julien Farel, Oak Hills Golf Club, Dream Spa, The Whelk, Quattro Pazzi, Kramer Little Expressions, JaaFar Tazi Salon, Chop Shop Cooking, Quattro Pazzi, Southern Dermatology, Indulge By Mersene, Savin Center, Okemo Mountain Resort, Big Apple Health Center,Bull’s Head Pet Hospital, Family Tree Yoga, Giovana’s Wine & Spirits, Frame and Save, Westport Eyecare Associates, Wendy and Larry Albert, Suited Co., Back 40 Mercantile, The Whelk, Elyse Brown, Total Wine & More, Colonial Framing, Muscular Therapy, Steve Berni, Estate Jewelry, Millie Rae’s and Dirt Floral.

CTKF’s first annual “Cook for Kids” proved to be a success, raising over $19,000. CTKF is extremely grateful for the wonderful support received for this event from the Fairfield County community, restaurants and chefs, local companies and businesses, and organizations. The organization would like to extend its thanks to Tony Aitoro for making this event possible. CTKF would also like to recognize its Event Committee members, Alexandra Briggs Kling, Livia Feig, Craig Wood, Carrie Franzese, Steve Berni, and Valerie Fischel, as well as the volunteers for their incredible efforts and dedication in organizing this event! Funds raised from “Cook for Kids” will go directly to the CTKF store’s operational and client clothing needs.

Join us as we make a difference in Fairfield County communities. For more about ways to get involved with CTKF, click here.

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.

 

Stamford High School Students Volunteer in the Store

Kristen Cognetta Volunteering
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CKTF would like to thank the student members of Stamford High School’s buildOn Club and their Advisor/Teacher, Matthew Gladstone, for spending this past Sunday afternoon volunteering in the store. The few hours of work that this group devoted to the CTKF mission was much appreciated.

With clients shopping at CTKF the day before, the store was in need of restocking. The students did an excellent job of preparing the store for the next week of clients. The group sorted through boxes of new items and attended to the details, such as organizing the accessories in both the boy’s and girl’s sections. Sunday’s cold, windy weather served as a reminder that this group’s priority was to ensure that plenty of warm clothing, scarves, and gloves would be available for children needing winter garments.

Thank you Matthew Gladstone for helping organize the afternoon, and thank you buildOn members for your assistance!

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.

“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 & 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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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.

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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

 

Thank you for making Giving Day 2016 a resounding success!

LynnB Events
Thank you for making Giving Day 2016 a resounding success!

We raised over $2,300 on Fairfield County’s Giving Day 2016, our first time participating in this amazing annual event! March 10, 2016 was a big day for Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County, and the board and volunteers want to thank everyone for helping to fuel our mission.

The gifts we received will be put to use immediately, getting our new store space ready to open, purchasing new socks and underwear for kids grades K-12, and purchasing software to track donors and clients.

With your support, so much is possible.