Mary Lee Tucker program needed, especially now

What are you giving thanks for at this time of year?

We know it’s difficult because we’re in the middle of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

It’s been over 100 years since the world has faced this type of health crisis, the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.

But, we hope you have much to be grateful for — health, family, friends, employment or other noteworthy successes.

For some among us, that isn’t the case.

Some of our neighbors are wondering just how they’ll possibly be able to afford new, warm clothing for their children.

And some see the holidays as a season of excess.

Don’t take that the wrong way.

It’s a time of love, sharing and joy. It celebrates faith, optimism and tradition.

But, there’s no way around it — it’s also a time of constant shopping, bustle and pressure.

Adding to that feeling so many of us get at this time is that each year, the season seems to get longer.

We’re not complaining about that part, though.

You see, we’ve already started our shopping.

No, we’re not out there buying Christmas gifts for our families and friends.

We’re heading out with our friends to carry out the mission of the Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child fund.

But first, we must still pay homage to journalist and civic worker Rhea Soper Eddy, who started the program in 1924 while working at The Journal, which was the predecessor to the current Morning Journal.

This was the premise more than 96 years ago when Clothe-A-Child was created: To raise money and use volunteers to shop with the youngsters at local stores for coats, boots and warm clothes.

There are some parameters, though.

The family must provide proof that they are in need, and children must be between the ages of 4 and 12 and enrolled in school.

Children get $150 to purchase “practical school clothing,” including everything from outerwear to underclothes.

Applications were accepted from mid-September to midOctober this year, but donations are accepted all yearround.

Since the program launched, volunteer shoppers have taken under-resourced children to stores to buy the warm coats, clothes and boots they need to keep them safe in the weather, with the donations going to the children.

This year because of the pandemic, we have used very few shoppers because we’re trying to practice all safety measures — including wearing masks and social distancing — to avoid spreading the virus.

Last year’s campaign saw 322 children who experienced shopping trips before Christmas to JC Penney and Meijer in Avon, and Meijer in Sandusky.

So far this year, we have shopped for nearly 200 youngsters at the JC Penney in Avon and the Meijer store in Lorain and Sandusky.

That feeling of excess we lamented above is easily canceled out by the smiles of the youngsters finding the perfect outfit or the right gloves for that first snowball fight.

To be able to keep shopping and reach our goal of serving as many children as possible, donations are needed.

It’s important to remember that at this time when spending seems almost expected, many in Northeast Ohio still are struggling to feed their families and keep them warm.

We can’t forget that some of our neighbors won’t have much to celebrate this holiday season.

That’s where Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child steps in.

Donations are accepted year-round by making checks payable to Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child, c/o The Morning Journal, 2500 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44054 or go online at www.MorningJournal.com/ clothe-a-child.

In past years, we’ve requested people who have had fundraisers to benefit ClotheA-Child, to tell us about it.

This year is different and we don’t anticipate there are any

We had to cancel our major fundraiser this year, the Journal Jog, because of COVID-19.

But we’re looking to have an even greater event in 2021 and raise more money to shop for more youngsters.

Over the years, generous donors have entrusted their hard-earned dollars to the charity.

The donations are down this year compared to previous years, but the shopping continues because the need continues.

To be able to keep shopping and reach our goal of serving as many children as possible, we need your help.

We thank you for your continued support of this worthy cause.

And, we hope you’ll consider sharing your generosity again to assist children in need.