THE INAUGURAL “Clothes for Kids” took place on Saturday, Aug. 24, and thanks to the generosity of Durand Eagles Aerie 3851, forty children received a back-to-school shopping experience they will never forget. Each child, ranging in grade level from preschool through 12th-grade, received $150 to spend and was turned loose in the Corunna-Owosso Meijer on the morning of Aug. 24 to do their own shopping. Capital Area Community Services of Shiawassee County assisted by completing the essential task of identifying potential recipients throughout the county.
The children thoroughly enjoyed shopping and selected practical items like clothes, shoes and backpacks, and program organizers were amazed at the shopping skills of the youngsters, many of whom wheeled carts teeming with school clothes to the check-out lane. The Durand Eagles members also expressed how touched they were by the reactions of the children.
“We were able to help 40 children through this program, and Becky [Zemla] of CACS did a great job identifying those who would benefit most from this program,” shared Clothes for Kids committee member Laura McGuire. “The kids were all from low-income households, many from single-parent families, and most of them had not been able to shop and buy new clothes for themselves in a very long time. It was very heartwarming to watch the kids’ faces light up as they came in the store, and they were all so appreciative.”
Shown at the Durand Eagles club the week following the event are Clothes for Kids committee members (from left) Linda Rosencrantz, Ida Collins and Laura McGuire. Aerie 3851 is already planning the second Clothes for Kids event, which will take place following the upcoming holiday season.
(Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
