Stamford High School Students Volunteer in the Store

Kristen Cognetta Volunteering

shs-volunteers

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!

Looking to Give Back This Thanksgiving? Volunteer With CTKF on November 29th for #GivingTuesday!

Kristen Cognetta Volunteering

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11-29-2016With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we know this is the time of year when individuals seek ways to give back to the community. With the globally-recognized #GivingTuesday falling on November 29th, Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County is calling upon you for assistance!

Each eligible child may shop in the CTKF Store (twice in a 12-month period) for a full week’s worth of school clothes. CTKF depends on the efforts of volunteers to maintain the store’s tidiness and presentation, so that every client scheduled for an appointment may have a pleasant and smooth shopping experience. #GivingTuesday will be a day for individual volunteers or groups to come together to help us ensure that our racks are full, replenished, sized appropriately, and ready for families to make their selections.

Consider spending an hour or two assisting in the CTKF store with a few of your closest classmates, friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members. Common projects include hanging and folding clothing, displaying items around the store, arranging clothing in size order, and sorting through new donations. Bring your energy and spirit, have fun working with one another, and provide CTKF with the critical support it needs to help children in Fairfield County communities have access to quality, clean clothing!

Individuals or groups may volunteer between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. To arrange a specific time, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Nadine Baccellieri or call (203) 539-1120. We look forward to seeing you on #GivingTuesday!

Not able to volunteer on #GivingTuesday? Consider supporting CTKF by donating gently used or new clothing. Schedule your drop-off with our Clothing Donation Coordinator, Carrie Franzese, via email or (203) 357-5376. Drop-offs will be accepted between the hours of 11am and 3pm on November 29. To contribute a monetary donation, click here.

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.

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 & Ribbon Cutting Mark the Official Grand Opening of the CTKF Store

Kristen Cognetta Events, Media Coverage

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[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8upqD7PoN4[/embedyt]

 

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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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.

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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