Warm the Children helped families through virtual means

Pandemic pushed Kiwanis event online

The Middletown Kiwanis Warm The Children project serves 565 children from 246 families in midst of COVID 19 pandemic. My involvement with the Middletown 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.

Most of our families are referred by the public elementary and middle schools, as well as a few social service agencies from our service area, which includes Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, Middlefield, Durham, East Hampton and Haddam. Each child is allotted up to $90 to spend on new winter attire ($70 if under 4).

I have witnessed 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 report on the rewarding experiences they had each year.

The personal stories 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 Connecticut 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.

Last summer, with the threat of a second wave of the pandemic coming in the fall, we decided in-person shopping was not an option this year. While there were still families needing our help, we had to find a better way to help them while not risk the health and wellbeing of families or volunteer shoppers.

We examined several options. 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 items they needed within their allotment. The registry was 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, volunteers assisted.

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.”

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 Kiwanis through fundraisers.

Donations can be made at MiddletownKiwanis.org and checks can be mailed to Warm The Children, c/o Liberty Bank, Attention:

Kendra Skubel, 315 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.

Warm the Children / Contributed photo Warm the Children, sponsored by the Middletown Kiwanis Club, takes donations to buy warm winter clothing for families in need.