By Nanci G. Hutson - STAFF WRITER
THE NEWS-TIMES - August 3, 2007
NEW MILFORD -- On the first day of school, every boy and girl -- be they a kindergartner or high school senior -- wants to look his or her best.
Some students want to enter the front door wearing the latest fashions and sporting new backpacks that boast their favorite character or brand name. Area stores and malls treat back-to-school shopping as they might a holiday, with special discounts and displays.
Imagine, then, your family income is so stretched even a new backpack is a luxury and hand-me-downs are the norm for what most children consider a special occasion.
In New Milford and its surrounding southern Litchfield County towns, more than 200 families each year face this problem. Thanks to the local United Way's annual back-to-school clothing drive, the children are able to enjoy the same start as their more economically advantaged peers.
For the last 15 years, the drive has tapped individual donors, youth groups, civic clubs, businesses and others.
This year, the United Way of Western Connecticut in southern Litchfield County -- formerly the Housatonic/Shepaug United Way -- will sponsor a similar back-to-school drive.
"It is such an incredibly important help for families who are living paycheck to paycheck,'' New Milford social services director Peg Molina said.
Of the 200 families in this region who signed up last year, Molina said 150 were from New Milford. "We always have a waiting list for this program."
The United Way of Western Connecticut hopes to have enough donors so it can supply more children than it did last year, said Kathy Thomas, the United Way's clothing drive organizer.
Students who qualify are given a backpack, two sets of clothing (pants and shirts), sneakers or shoes, a coat, socks, underwear, school supplies, and personal care products.
Donors either supply the entire request, sponsor part of the package, or make cash contributions. Thomas calculates the average cost is $200 a child.
This program is "a real booster for kids who want to start their school life just like their peers do," Molina said.
Anything that helps a child from feeling less worthy than other students or that prevents him from being singled out is a benefit, Molina said.
"It definitely allows them to get off on the right foot," she said.
In a news release, Thomas thanked the organizations and individuals who have already volunteered, and she encouraged others to join. All the shopping and donations need to be arranged through the local United Way office by Aug. 15 so they can be delivered prior to the opening of school.
For information or to become a sponsor, contact Thomas at the New Milford United Way office at (860) 354-8800 or e-mail kthomas@uwwesternct.org.
id: united-way-starts-back-to-school-clothing-drive
title: United Way starts back-to-school clothing drive
excludeFromNav: False
subject:
description:
contributors:
creators: ddeschenes
effectiveDate: None
expirationDate: None
language:
rights:
creation_date: 2007/08/20 15:19:42.026 GMT-4
modification_date: 2007/08/20 15:19:42.120 GMT-4
relatedItems:
allowDiscussion: None
Content-Type: text/html
By Nanci G. Hutson - STAFF WRITER
THE NEWS-TIMES - August 3, 2007
NEW MILFORD -- On the first day of school, every boy and girl -- be they a kindergartner or high school senior -- wants to look his or her best.
Some students want to enter the front door wearing the latest fashions and sporting new backpacks that boast their favorite character or brand name. Area stores and malls treat back-to-school shopping as they might a holiday, with special discounts and displays.
Imagine, then, your family income is so stretched even a new backpack is a luxury and hand-me-downs are the norm for what most children consider a special occasion.
In New Milford and its surrounding southern Litchfield County towns, more than 200 families each year face this problem. Thanks to the local United Way's annual back-to-school clothing drive, the children are able to enjoy the same start as their more economically advantaged peers.
For the last 15 years, the drive has tapped individual donors, youth groups, civic clubs, businesses and others.
This year, the United Way of Western Connecticut in southern Litchfield County -- formerly the Housatonic/Shepaug United Way -- will sponsor a similar back-to-school drive.
"It is such an incredibly important help for families who are living paycheck to paycheck,'' New Milford social services director Peg Molina said.
Of the 200 families in this region who signed up last year, Molina said 150 were from New Milford. "We always have a waiting list for this program."
The United Way of Western Connecticut hopes to have enough donors so it can supply more children than it did last year, said Kathy Thomas, the United Way's clothing drive organizer.
Students who qualify are given a backpack, two sets of clothing (pants and shirts), sneakers or shoes, a coat, socks, underwear, school supplies, and personal care products.
Donors either supply the entire request, sponsor part of the package, or make cash contributions. Thomas calculates the average cost is $200 a child.
This program is "a real booster for kids who want to start their school life just like their peers do," Molina said.
Anything that helps a child from feeling less worthy than other students or that prevents him from being singled out is a benefit, Molina said.
"It definitely allows them to get off on the right foot," she said.
In a news release, Thomas thanked the organizations and individuals who have already volunteered, and she encouraged others to join. All the shopping and donations need to be arranged through the local United Way office by Aug. 15 so they can be delivered prior to the opening of school.
For information or to become a sponsor, contact Thomas at the New Milford United Way office at (860) 354-8800 or e-mail kthomas@uwwesternct.org.
