Volunteers stay busy clothing kids
When children are in need this foundation is there to help.
"Clothes for Kids," a program run by the Fowler-Bonan Foundation, is making a big change in the lives of children all over Southern Illinois.
Mayor Dale Fowler, co-founder of the organization and candidate for state senate, spent an afternoon Friday at the Wal-Mart in Harrisburg with a group of students from the Health Occupation Students of America club, at Hamilton County Senior High School. The two groups came together to shop for under privileged children in the Mcleansboro area.
As of Dec. 1 the "Clothes for Kids" program has helped clothe 478 children in the Southern Illinois area and will continue to provide for 130 children before the end of the year.
"What I am most proud of is that I have yet to knock on a door or ask someone face to face for money," Fowler said.
The program works through referrals and schools, regional health departments and a variety of children support groups provide children's names for the program.
"There are a lot of people who really need this," said Alyssa Vanzant, student volunteer. "I think about how I would feel if I didn't have clothes."
There were five students Friday afternoon from the club shopping for three children each, both boys and girls. On average, each child receives 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, package of underwear, package of socks, a pair of shoes, and coat or jacket if needed.
This year the coats for the children were donated through an earlier charity drive the HOSA club hosted. Darlene Waier, College & Career Specialist for Hamilton County School District, rallied the students to think of a charity they could do themselves.
"The club came up with the coat drive and through that process found out about 'Clothes for Kids,'" Waier said.
The HOSA students ended up receiving 82 coats for their students, some of which were already on the "Clothes for Kids" list. So they decided to donate the coats to the program.
"I believe if we instill the value of giving back at a young age it will continue though a lifetime," Waier said.