NORWICH – The Norwich City School District is working closely with The Place as part of an effort to provide students with winter-appropriate pants and shirt this holiday season.
The school district is accepting clothing donations at Gibson, Perry Browne and the Middle School and High School. Event Coordinator and School Social Worker Kelly Colosi said the community has been generous in making donations in the past and she hopes to be able to serve more students this year. Though all donations are appreciated, said Colosi, the objective is to collect clothing that will benefit students throughout the winter.
As each city school reaches out to collect clothing from community members, The Place is working with area businesses to gather monetary donations. Participating businesses have set up Christmas trees and decorated them with snowflakes that sponsor students in need of clothing. In addition to donating directly to The Place, community members can also contribute by purchasing a snowflake for $30 – money that is used by The Place to buy clothing.
So far, a total of $6,000 has also been raised between the RC Smith Foundation, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Wal-Mart, Unison and the United Way. Trees have been set up at Wal-Mart, Kerry Bio-Science, Manpower and the Family YMCA but Courtney Crisler, executive director at The Place, said she will be working with local business throughout the week to have more in place.
Though the school has conducted similar holiday charities for more than 30 years, specific problems and goals have only been addressed within the last seven years, said Colosi. Last year, a total of 569 students between 229 families were served – a 50 student, 20 family increase over 2009, Colosi explained. According Crisler, a greater need is expected this year because of the flooding damage sustained by the community. This year’s goal, she added, is to provide for at least 600 students from toddlers through high school.
“The efforts I’ve been involved in with the school district have worked well ... we started to shift to the idea of making this a community project because the need for help and assistance in the community is so great and this is one way we can provide that need,” said Crisler.
The Place, now in its third year of working with the school, has played a vital role in soliciting donations and has greatly expanded the number of students that will benefit from the effort, said Colosi. “I’m so happy that they are a part of it and I’m always happy to help,” she said.
Linda McNeil, owner of McNeil’s Jewelers, is one of many who has already purchased a snowflake to sponsor a student. “I think it’s a good incentive for people to get out and help the community,” she said. “I hope they can clothe as many children that need clothing.”
Colosi encourages people to bring in donations by Dec. 12. “This is a great opportunity to make a difference,” said Crisler.
Said Colosi, “Our goal is that local families have a happier and brighter season and to do whatever we can do to help them.”