The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Program a family affair for volunteer
Since she last participated in the Clothe-AChild charity, The NewsHerald’s annual campaign that provides new clothing and shoes for children in need in Lake and Geauga counties, Ann Marie Stief has noticed a few changes, namely the switching of retail stores.
“I shopped two years ago, when Sears was still the primary place, along with Payless ShoeSource,” she said. “But JCPenney’s is fine, too. No matter where we shop with the kids, they love it. They’re so encouraged.”
With the closing of Sears at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, the campaign has continued this year with Penney’s, but with far less funds than previous years — a fact, as it stands, that has jeopardized shopping beyond November.
Still, Stief, who resides in Kirtland Hills, believes in the power of community and the goodwill of people, especially wouldbe volunteers who may be unaware of the charity’s existence.
“It’s still nice,” she said. “If anything, I’d say it’s grown, despite the decrease in dollars. When I saw the stats, it made me so sad, but it’s a positive that we get to do this because there are so many kids in need. I wish more people would sign up to help. It’s always important to get the word out regarding programs like this. I tell everyone about it who doesn’t get the newspaper. Talking to people gets the word out just as much.”
In her second year, Stief shops once a week with a different child, typically on Wednesday evenings. Each child has a spending allowance of about $200 to $230, which can be used to purchase shoes, boots, underclothes, shirts and pants.
Stief’s initial interest to volunteer was piqued when her son and daughter completed their respective school service hours.
“Every high school requires it,” Stief said,” and since I’ve shopped, both my son and daughter have accompanied me and the kids we take. It’s great, not difficult to do. We usually get one shopper, though as a volunteer you can get more than one child.”
Stief said this year her daughter, Katherine, will join her.
“I scheduled it around her being home from college so she could do so. It’s become a family affair. I like that my kids like partaking in it.”
Regardless of donation amounts, or lack thereof, Stief said she and her family will continue to participate in the almost 40-yearold charity.
“Don’t get me wrong, like many charity campaigns, we’re always hoping for more donations. People have to know how truly special it is. And it’s different because you’re directly impacting the kids’ lives.”
Many times, with other social programs, the volunteers and kids alike may not get to experience the impact created on such a personal level, Stief said.
“This is completely different. You get to talk to them, work with them, laugh with them — you connect.
“It’s only positive,” she said. “And the kids enjoy it so much, selecting items and trying things on. They are so thankful, as are the entire families. Sometimes the moms start crying, too. It’s emotional because Clothe-A-Child proves that there are caring people out here. For many of the kids, it’s a plan to have a year of clothing. It makes them feel better.”
After leaving Payless to head to Penney’s, Ann Marie, watching Katherine corral their spirited young friend, put it simply: “I’m glad she’s here. We got a rambunctious one this time. But I really do hope we (the charity) receive a boost. The time commitment is not big, and at the end of the day you feel great for having helped a child.” For more than 35 years, with the help of monetary donations and hundreds of volunteers, Clothe-A-Child has been providing new clothing and shoes for needy children ages 5 through 12 in Lake and Geauga counties. All donations go to purchase apparel for the children. The News-Herald funds all administrative costs. To donate, send a check to Clothe-A-Child, c/o The News-Herald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094 or visit www.News-Herald. com/clotheachild. Please indicate how you would like your name to appear in our donor lists.