Middletown Kiwanis Warm the Children Program 2020

Middletown CT

07 January, 2021

9:39 AM

Description

My involvement with the Middletown Kiwanis Warm The Children program began when I joined the Kiwanis Club. As a volunteer shopper I would meet a family at Walmart and shop with them for warm winter attire. Currently I serve as the program coordinator. Most of our families are referred by the public elementary & middle schools as well as a few social service agencies from our service area which includes Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, Middlefield, Durham, East Hampton & Haddam. Each child is allotted up to $90 to spend on new winter attire ($70 if under 4). I have witnessed firsthand the gratitude and excitement families show for the new clothing their children are receiving as well as the hugs at the end of a shopping trip. Many shoppers would also report back on the rewarding experiences they had each year assisting our families. The personal stories shared are many. Youngsters that never had new clothes or who shared one coat with a sibling or parent. The nurses who would quietly replace old worn out socks with new ones they keep in their desk drawers for kids in need. Families coming to CT after devastating hardships in their homelands or victims of natural disasters that moved here with just the shirts on their backs. Single parents and hardworking families that just can't make ends meet to pay rent, put food on the table, and provide warm clothes for a growing family. The homeless families without a place to call home. Those struggling to get by and in need of a hand up. The stories fit those examples and then some. In the summer of 2020, with the threat of a second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic coming in the fall, we decided that in person shopping was not an option for our program this year. While there would still be families that would need our help, we had to find a better way to serve them that would not risk the health and wellbeing of our families or our volunteer shoppers. We examined several options and the safest and best one we could find was online shopping through Target.com. This option was far from perfect for our needs and ended up being a bit of a challenge but with much help from our referral contacts we made it work. Each family was asked to create an online registry and select the items they needed within their allotment. The registry was then reviewed and paid for by Middletown Kiwanis with the items shipped direct to the family's address. For those few unable to navigate the online process a couple of volunteers assisted. Online shopping does not allow for the usual contact with the parent. There were no hugs this year; however, as coordinator, I had contact with all of the families we served via the internet and/or phone calls. I was rewarded time and time again by families that responded with sincere appreciation. At least a couple of parents being assisted in the clothing selection process said: "we're not picky, we are just thankful." I want to share with all of you – our supporters just some of the other words of thanks we received: …these are my grandchildren that live with me and I receive no help at all so I am thankful.…Thank you so much for all that you do. Between COVID and the fact that my son grew two sizes over the summer. You guys helped more than you realize. Thank you again.…thank you so much! Anything they get will be greatly appreciated. Happy holidays!! …Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of Warm the Children. During these unfortunate times many of us have come across some trying times. My family would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for such a generous program….Dear Warm the Children, I can't thank you enough for making such a huge difference in our lives. Thank you.Thank you so much..... This has been a very difficult year for us as well as for many others.... wasn't sure what was going to do for Christmas. Going to use some of this for Christmas gifts....Thank you so much! This has been a bad year for us, …. me being out of work. I appreciate you guys so muchThank you so much this is helping me in so many ways God bless all of you for this blessing you have given usI AM THANKFUL! Thank you, happy holidays! Warm The Children would not have experienced the success it did this season without the assistance of our school and agency contacts, and our volunteers. It would not have been possible without the generous donations we receive throughout the year. Every dollar we receive for Warm The Children is used to purchase clothing for children in need. No donation is too small. There is no payroll and any administrative costs are absorbed by the Middletown Kiwanis Club through the various fundraisers held each year. Donations can be made via the Middletown Kiwanis website at www.MiddletownKiwanis.org. Checks can be mailed to Warm The Children c/o Liberty Bank ATT Kendra Skubel 315 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 Wishing all a happy new year!