Volunteers keep program strong

It all began with a Chicago woman who was a staffer at what used to be called The Lorain Journal, when she organized a program now known as Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child, to obtain clothes for the needy in 1924.

However, Tucker began assisting many more children and their families during the time of the Great Depression when The Lorain Journal’s reporter Rhea Soper Eddy wrote an

article in 1931 encouraging Lorain residents to help clothe and feed any unfortunate children during the holidays. That Christmas, 300 children were clothed and money was raised through many benefits.

Today, the tradition of the program continues to help children of Lorain County retain clothes during the winter from its volunteer shoppers.

According to program coordinator Linda Batozynski, the program encourages the volunteers to buy practical school clothing starting with outerwear like boots, coats and gloves to regular school clothes and underclothing. She said the purpose of the program is help families who may not be able to afford some of these clothing items for their children to keep warm during the winter season.

Batozynski is in charge of choosing the volunteers who apply and meet the criteria required to be a shopper and matches them with a child or family up to four children.

She said the program takes applications to agencies and some schools in Lorain County for volunteers and families to sign up for the program. From September to October, the program receives anywhere from 400 to 600 or more applications. Mary Lee Tucker only supplies clothing for Lorain County children — ages 4 to 16 — because most of their donations have come from this county, she said.

In order for children to be shopped for, parents fill forms out listing their children’s information as well as supplying their own personal information. If volunteers meet all criteria to pass for a shopper then they can meet the families at the stores provided by Batozynski and take the children shopping after they pick up the clothing vouchers. The vouchers supply each child with $150 for clothing.

The shopping dates in Mary Lee Tucker begin in mid-November and continue until to January.

Batozynski has been with Mary Lee Tucker for 10 years and said approximately 400 children were shopped for last year and it’s roughly the same amount this year.

She hopes this year the program can get every child shopped for.

“It’s all about the children,” she said. “(Helping organize and going through every application from volunteers and parents) can be a lot during this time of the year, but when it’s all said and done, I feel I really did something. It’s rewarding in the end to see children get what they need.”

Batozynski said there are many returning shoppers this year such as teachers, groups from schools, churches, the Lorain Rotary Club and more who do a great job in supplying help to the program and its children.

Dina Ferrer, a member of Lorain Rotary since 2001, said she has been a volunteer shopper with Mary Lee Tucker since her 20s. She

said during this time of the year, several Rotary members contribute any way they can, such as collecting money for different causes, ringing bells at certain locations during the holidays and participating in Mary Lee Tucker.

She said the Rotary enjoys participating in the program.

“The kids get so excited to shop, especially when they get to pick out their own stuff,” said Ferrer. “This is a worthy cause. It’s nice to help people in our (city) and provide them with clothes. Lorain Rotary likes to help with projects that help our community.”

Alexis Hayden, a fifthgrade teacher at Frank Jacinto Elementary in Lorain, also volunteers her time to Mary Lee Tucker. Hayden has been helping with the program for the past six years and is also the coordinator of the Lorain Education Association.

“As teachers, we see kids who don’t have the proper necessities for the winter,” she said. “It feels good to be able to give them what they need; like winter coats. It gives (children) something they need just to go somewhere, like school, in order to become successful.”

She said the program not only helps the children, but it also helps parents with getting clothing items they aren’t able to get during this time. It makes it easier for them.

She said the Lorain Education Association started out solely as teachers volunteering their time to shop for children, but today has grown into more groups such as students organizations.

She said this is the first year for many student organizations in Lorain to help volunteer in the program. These organizations include the Lorain High girls’ basketball team, girls’ softball and service clubs, Key Club and LEO Club.

“It’s a good way for us to take pride in the community and give back,” she said. “It’s a phenomenal program.”

Hayden said the association, including the student organizations, are shopping for over 95 of the kids that are being shopped for this year.

According to program coordinator Linda Batozynski, the program encourages the volunteers to buy practical school clothing starting with outerwear like boots, coats and gloves to regular school clothes and underclothing. She said the purpose of the program is help families who may not be able to afford some of these clothing items for their children to keep warm during the winter season.