The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hope Chest celebrates 50 years helping kids
A small grassroots effort first initiated to help clothe needy children in Lake County has grown to great lengths over the past 50 years.
Hope Chest, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, had its humble beginnings five decades ago when a group of teachers belonging to Hope Ridge and Painesville United Methodist churches noticed that some youngsters weren’t attending school in bad weather because they didn’t have sufficient clothing.
Taking matters into their own hands they began to collect items in a home’s garage and pass them out to those in need.
Quickly, members from several other area churches joined the cause and a bigger location was needed. Space was found at a location in downtown Painesville. After a few more moves Hope Chest landed at its current home at 1 Victoria Place on Painesville Square.
“All of those churches were there from day one practically, and then it expanded from there,” said Pat Meyer of Painesville Township who has volunteered with the organization for 30 years.
Since 2004 more than 15,000 individuals or client families with approximately 22,000 children under age 18 have benefitted from the agency’s work. Seventy-six percent of families have a Painesville address but the organization’s stretch reaches throughout Lake County.
Although remaining true to its original mission to “provide clean clothing and new shoes, socks and underwear to school children in Lake County so they can attend school with dignity and pride,” Hope Chest now also aids adults by offering clothing and household goods.
The facility’s space is neatly arranged with items organized on racks similar to that of a department store. More than 30 volunteers help with the task of sorting and cleaning donations as well as assisting clients. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
Clients are sent from other agencies and must present a letter prior to “shopping.” Approximately 80 percent are referred and scheduled through Lake County Jobs and Family Services. Emergency referrals also come from clergy, school personnel and other agencies.
Jan Milazzotto of Willoughby and Judy Szabo of Mentor, both retired Mentor School District teachers, serve as co-presidents of Hope Chest.
Milazzotto noted that the Mentor School District has become involved with the organization and dropoff sites for donations are located at several schools in Mentor. Donations also may be brought to the Hope Chest facility when open and in the brown bin located on the loading dock on the west side of South St. Clair Street between Washington and Main streets in Painesville at any time.
Monetary donations are appreciated to use for purchase of underwear, socks and shoes as well as operating expenses.
“In order to keep going we need these donations,” Milazzotto said. “We’d like to be here 50 years from now.”
Among other items current needs include clean and gently used washcloths and towels. Also being sought are additional volunteers for Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Milazzotto said she volunteers because she has been blessed in life and wants others to feel blessed as well. She recalled one father who brought his two young daughters in for help. Their mother was not in the picture. After Milazzotto assisted the girls with clothing the man was extremely relieved and grateful.
“It’s very hard to see some of these people come in at such difficult times in their lives,” she said. “It’s very important that we greet everyone and treat them the way we would want to be treated.”
For those who would like to visit Hope Chest, an open house of the facility is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 17-20.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ hopechestinc.