At Kids’ Closet, a volunteer “personal shopper” assists every child.
A student proudly models pieces from her new wardrobe.
Kids’ Closet improves children’s lives
Since its inception in 1996, Kids’ Closet has focused on providing children with new school clothing to raise their self-esteem and school attendance. Each school year, in the fall and spring, thousands of students from rural communities eagerly await their opportunity to come to the custom-built Kids’ Closet in Mammoth. Children eligible to receive free meals at their pre-school or school are referred to the program.
During the 2016-17 school year, 3316 students in pre-school, elementary and junior high/middle schools received clothing from Kids’ Closet. Students came from three Head Start programs and 17 schools in eight communities. This past year, students attending schools in Miami, a district with 480 students, were added. In the coming 2017-18 school year, service will be expanded to include 120 students, two more schools in San Carlos.
SBCO’s 2016 “Golden Goose Fashion Show”
A showcase for Thrifty Fashion Solutions
It takes an army of dedicated volunteers to serve the clothing needs of so many children. Volunteers are responsible for buying, unpacking, tracking, stocking and inventorying the clothing, as well as managing finances. Every day that the closet is open, a volunteer is scheduled to help each student shop for clothing and select a book to take home. Volunteers also manage communication with school counselors, ensuring that permission slips are received and student “shoppers” are given the assistance they need.
If you would like to volunteer your time and talent to Kids’ Closet, please contact the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach office at 520-825-3302 for more information.
On Monday, September 25, the SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) General Meeting will feature the popular “Golden Goose Fashion Show.” The event will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the MountainView ballroom. The sixth annual Fashion Show will feature handpicked clothing and accessories modeled by Golden Goose volunteers.
Throughout the year, Betsy Lowry culls through Golden Goose clothing donations to find runway-worthy gems. Clothing and coordinating accessories, from casual to formal wear, are selected for quality and style in order to display some of the best items available to the store’s shoppers. Betsy also recruits volunteers who are willing to serve as runway models and then matches them to the selected outfits.
Every year, there are moments of high fashion and hilarity – including once having a male volunteer modeling a diaphanous ballgown. Join SBCO for this fashionable event and then sign up for the 2017 Walkathon. After the 25th, walkers can register every Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the SBCO office at Suite L in the mini-mart plaza.