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Help a Child Go to School This Fall Looking Good and Feeling Confident
Back-to-School Clothes for Kids
provides new school clothing to needy children in Westchester and the Bronx
with the help of donations from local corporations, their employees, clubs,
individuals and schools. The new clothing these kids receive helps them feel
confident for the first day of school, and helps them get through the cold winter months, but the benefits go further. Getting
new clothes for school sends a message to a child that school is important
and that he or she is important.
Here’s how the program works…..
 For
Younger Children
Sponsors are given a profile of a child (ages 5-12) and, with the help of
family, friends or co-workers, the sponsor raises funds and purchases clothing, for that child. The
profile is compiled by a social worker and includes the child’s first name,
sex, and age, as well as style and color preferences. Each child receives
underwear, socks, three sets of apparel, and sneakers or a coat, as well as
a backpack and school supplies. The estimated cost for one child is $200.
Click on the “Sponsoring a Child” link on the left for
more information.
For Teenagers
With money raised through donations, Back-to-School Clothes for Kids
has shopping nights for teens at the Galleria in White Plains and malls
in Northern Westchester. Some of these teens have never had a chance to
shop for their own new clothes! The “Shopping With A Teen” or “SWAT”
Nights give teens an opportunity to select and try on clothes and get
exactly what they want - with the right look and the right fit. There
are a few ground rules of course! Click on “SWAT Nights” on the left
for more information. Donations and volunteers are welcome!
Corporations,
Organizations and Clubs
Last year, almost 60 Westchester corporations, organizations and clubs
participated in the Back-to-School Clothes for Kids program. Some sponsored
and shopped for 1 child, some 10, some over 100 children. Every sponsorship
is precious to the child who receives those new duds for that first day of
school! Companies that shopped for children found that this volunteer
experience fosters teamwork and a sense of achievement. It also highlights
your company as one that gives back to the community. Some companies
supported their employee’s efforts by matching their efforts with a monetary
contribution.
We welcome
monetary contributions from corporations and individuals. This is a
wonderful opportunity to help local disadvantaged children. Click on the
Sponsorship Form on the left to find more information.
Individuals
Individuals can join with family members, friends, religious groups or clubs
to sponsor one or more children. Parents have told us that it was a great
way for their child to learn about and help a child who is not as fortunate as
themselves. Receipts are available for Community Service Hours- contact us
for more information.
Here’s
what a 15 year old girl who received clothing wrote her sponsor, the
very first year we operated this program. We realized how important our
efforts were and have been sponsoring kids ever after.
| "My name is Shawn
and I’m 15 years old. I’ll be starting high school this year. I would like
to thank you for buying these clothes for me. It’s the first time anyone has
given me a variety of clothes to wear to school when I really needed it. I
appreciate it a lot". |
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