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An annual event to make sure children in need can start school with the proper attire has resulted in the collection of nearly 1,200 pairs of socks — doubling the number from last year.
The Stillwaters Estates “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive collected 1,174 pairs of socks for the nonprofit Kids' Kloset, all of which were donations from residents of Stillwaters.
“This is our part to do something to help children starting school with nice, warm socks,” said Jan Leth, a founding member of Kids’ Kloset and one of the coordinators of the Sock it to ‘em drive.
The first drive happened last year when Stillwaters Estates collected 555 pairs of socks. Kids' Kloset was able to give two complete outfits to 500 children beginning school.
This year, more than 300 people donated socks to the drive, allowing Kids' Kloset to put four pairs of socks in each packet. Along with the socks, packets of clothes for the children will contain a hooded sweatshirt, two shirts, two pairs of pants, one pair of tennis shoes and underwear.
Due to this success, Leth said that she and the other members at Stillwaters would hold another “Sock it to ‘em” drive next year, making it a yearly event.
Kids’ Kloset began in 1989 when St. John’s Episcopal Church of Centralia saw a need to provide school clothing and supplies for children in the community.
The clothing distribution began as a one-day event serving 293 children the first year, according to the Kids’ Kloset’s website. As the event became more popular, St. John’s encouraged other churches and community volunteers to help.
The Kids’ Kloset location was moved to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Centralia in 2001, where the number of children served continued to grow. For a few years, the number of students receiving clothes and supplies topped 1,000. Dozens of churches, service groups and businesses and hundreds of volunteers were involved in making sure Kids’ Kloset distribution day was a success.
The event pivoted from a single event to a year-round offering in 2019, with the intent to focus efforts on the neediest families. The year-long service meant that, in times of desperation, such as floods, fires or evictions, Kids’ Kloset doors would be open to help, its website stated.
Families fill in a referral form online, and clothes are packed by a trained volunteer. The family may choose to have the clothes delivered to a home or to a school. If the family prefers, packages can be picked up at Immanuel Lutheran Church, located at 1209 Scheuber Road N., Centralia.
“Even though Kids’ Kloset has gone through some evolutions in the last 35 years, the main intent remains the same,” Kids’ Kloset’s website states. “To help children gain self esteem with new shoes and clothes so that their school experience may be a little brighter.”
For more information about Kids' Kloset, or to make a request, visit ilccentralia.org/kids-kloset-form.
