The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
As cold sets in, need for donations rises
MIDDLETOWN — The season’s first snow came last Saturday, a brisk snow squall that brought to mind the need for warm sweaters and coats and boots, items most of us take for granted.
Some, though, are not so fortunate. Right here in Connecticut, still the richest state in the country, some children must go to school without basic winter clothing and footwear.
That’s where Warm The Children, a program which provides new winter wear for local children in need, comes in. School social workers in Middletown area elementary and middle schools identify families whose children need winter wear — but, absent help from Warm The Children, would likely do without.
Warm The Children was introduced in Middletown 25 years ago by The Middletown Press. Readers were asked to make monetary donations with the promise that every donated dollar would be used to purchase new winter clothing and footwear for local children in need: that nothing would be set aside forthe administration.
In the beginning, families to be served were identified only by the The Salvation Army. Soon, it became apparent local schools and social service agencies were needed. This year, in addition to a few area social service agencies, school social workers at Middletown-area public elementary and middle schools will refer families with approximately 700 children to the Kiwanis Club Warm The Children coordinator, who will assign each family to one of 150 volunteer shoppers.
They will meet at Walmart in Cromwell and together select the winter items each child needs. For some, it will be the first new coat or pair of boots the child ever owned.
Children 4 through 15 are allowed up to $90, while those under 4 are allowed up to $70. At checkout, no money changes hands. Walmart bills the program for all purchases, and the family leaves the store with new winter things.
The majority of the funds to pay Walmart’s bills come from individual donations, the rest from a few generous grantors. All dollars are used to buy clothing and footwear for Middletown area’s neediest children. Nothing is set aside for “administration,” as all expenses are borne by the Kiwanis Club with advertising support from The Middletown Press.
All donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to Warm The Children and mailed to: Warm The Children, c/o Liberty Bank, Attention: Leah Pickard, 315 Main St., Middletown CT 06457.
Electronic donations can also be made via PayPal through the Middletown Kiwanis website at MiddletownKiwanis.org. To be a volunteer shopper, visit the website, select Warm The Children, and then Volunteer.