ALL DRESSED UP
New children’s clothing helps nonprofit raise spirits, self-esteem
Edmond nonprofit U R Special aims to foster self-esteem in local children by providing new clothing to qualifying children three times a year.
The organization distributed new outfits to more than 500 children April 7 and 8 through its spring clothing distribution event. More than 125 local volunteers contributed time and material put on the event.
Volunteers distribute more than 2,000 outfits per year at the organization’s fall, winter and spring distributions. And the organization continues to grow. As many as 100 new children are served at every distribution.
U R Special board member Dusty Somerville recently detailed how the organization works and what it aims to achieve.
Q: How did U R Special get started?
A: It started when one of our founding members was visiting Africa. She saw how the gift of a simple dress brightened the face of a needy girl. She returned to Edmond with the thought that there were children here who could benefit from the gift of a dress. She engaged one of her seamstress friends to help her sew the dresses and solicited another friend who was a lawyer to start the paperwork to create a nonprofit organization. U R Special began distributing dresses in 1993. Other clothes for boys and girls were added to the program, and the program grew from 60 girls to over 700 children per distribution. We now have three distributions a year providing over 2,000 outfits of new clothes. Q. What is the organization’s goal?
A. Despite the fact that we are clothing children, our goal goes way beyond that. Our mission is to foster selfesteem and healthy lifestyles
in needy and at-risk children. We provide a positive experience for the children while choosing the clothes and we want them to be proud to have a new set of clothes. We are trying to help the children avoid feeling “poor” when comparing themselves to their wealthier classmates.
Q. How does U R Special define success?
A. Our short-term success is measured by the smiles on the faces of the children we serve. Distribution is an exciting time, and the joy of the children is contagious. Our long-term success is measured by the children who are proud to wear their new clothes to school instead of hand-medowns or thrift store clothes. If we have improved their selfesteem, we have done our job.
Q. Does it serve both boys and girls?
A. Yes. Both boys and girls ages 3 to 9 are served by our program. Clothes vary by season. At this spring distribution, boys and girls receive socks, underwear, shorts and
T-shirts. Boys receive name brand athletic shoes and girls receive sandals. In addition, a special feature of the spring and fall events is that girls receive a handmade dress. In the fall and winter they all receive jeans instead of shorts. Also, for the winter distribution they will all receive warm winter coats and the girls get boots.
Unfortunately no. For a variety of reasons, the program is limited to children who live in Edmond or go to Edmond Public Schools.
There are two requirements.
First, as stated above, the program is limited to children who live in Edmond or go to Edmond Public Schools. Parents or guardians must bring a utility bill or report card to distribution to prove eligibility. Additionally, they must complete a form to certify that their household income is below HUD poverty guidelines. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Nothing is required in advance. All they have to do is come to our building at 25 W Third St. during one of our distributions. The qualification paperwork and certification is done upon entry into the building.
After that, each child will get a form that allows them to go “shopping” for their clothes. Volunteers help the children choose the outfits and shoes.
Once they have come to one distribution, children
U R Special Ministries, Inc.
25 W. 3rd Street Edmond, OK 73003 (405) 340-2799 http://urspecialedmond.org/ will receive a postcard in the mail reminding them (and their families) about the next distribution.
Dates and times for each distribution are posted on the front door of our building and also available online at our Facebook page (U R Special) or on our website at www. urspecialedmond.org.