Coins For Kids

I'm just a kid, what difference can I make? The truth is, kids make an enormous difference with their time, talents and resources, and CFK's annual Coins For Kids Drive is one important way to do it. Originally conceived as a campaign about "kids helping kids", this program has grown over the years to be one of the leading fundraisers for Clothes For Kids. Last year, children helped raise more than $32,000 for kids in need. During the months of March - June, we encourage kids to save their spare change and set it aside for kids like them, but in need of help. This will help support more than 4,000 low-income youth and their families in Snohomish County, and kids are leading the way. And it's not just for kids! You and your whole family can help. Challenge friends to save more change than you. It can be fun and this campaign allows us to continue to provide children with quality clothing, educational resources and build their self esteem while encouraging them to go to school and complete their education. Contact us for specific ideas of how you can help!

A testimonial from a client

"I wanted to share with you how very very thankful I am for your organization and the generosity of your supporters. We have had a rough year with my husband being amongst the ranks of laid off employees. When winter was approaching and my kids coats were not going to make it another year I was relieved to come to the shop and find a perfect fit for them both. They left so very happy and talked all week about the nice ladies at the Clothes for Kids store who give clothes and coats to kids who don't have money for new ones! They were both thrilled to be able to pick out items they were proud to show off and wear and came home to give their father a fashion show. The coats have served them so very well and kept them warm and dry in all the rare snow and have even been admired by many. What a relief it was to know my kids dressers were well stocked when I was juggling our other financial burdens. From the bottom of our hearts...Thank you."

S.F., Mountlake Terrace

An Auction Thank You

Clothes for Kids would like to thank the many volunteers, donors, sponsors, and everyone else who contributed to making our 2008 Auction a success.

Held on September 20, 2008, at the Embassy Suites in Lynnwood, the auction saw a record number of attendees bid on a variety of items generously donated by the local community.

Daisy Troop Sponsors One Warm Coat Drive for CFK

Daisy Troop 42948 in conjunction with all Machias Elementary Girl Scout Troops, is sponsoring a Coat Drive now through November 7, 2008. Please go to www.onewarmcoat.org for more information on how you can help. All coats, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats and mittens are welcome.

Our local collection center is Clothes for Kids in Lynnwood. Clothes for Kids serves all underprivileged families in Snohomish County. From August 2008 through October 15, 2008, Clothes for Kids has already served 1300 families.

Nancy Laird-Burris, manager of Clothes for Kids says her facility cannot keep up with the demand. The shelves are empty and any and all clothes are welcome at this time. A public appeal just went out today and will be featured in The Herald within the coming days.
Nancy can be reached directly at 425-741-6500 or at nlaird@clothesforkids.org.

Let's see if we can really "warm up" their shelves and do a good turn this month by helping out our local community. Thank youJ

For help with local collection or drop-off locations, please contact Krista Murphy at 425-397-7675 or at kristamurphy@verizon.net.

Clothes for Kids has an urgent need

In the first five weeks of the school year, Clothes for Kids has served an incredible 1,256 children - a record number for the organization, and 25% ahead of last year’s total.

With many families feeling the pinch of challenging economic times, this trend is expected to continue, which would bring the need to over 4,000 wardrobes this school year. Clothes for Kids is in desperate need of financial and in-kind donations. Financial assistance is needed to provide new underwear, socks, shoes, and other urgent needs. In-kind donations of new and gently used children’s clothing are greatly needed. As you can see from the attached photos, the shelves at Clothes for Kids are bare for the first time in years.

Thank you to the Everett Clinic Foundation

Clothes for Kids has recently been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Everett Clinic Foundation.

About The Everett Clinic Foundation:

The Everett Clinic Foundation was established in 1994 by Clinic staff and physicians. The goal of the Foundation is to provide ongoing philanthropic support to charitable organizations in Snohomish County. The Foundation is administered by a Board of Directors who are responsible for the allocation of funds.

Bicycle Essay Contest Begins

Clothes for Kids Announces Student
Bicycle Essay Contest

Summary:

One boy and one girl of each grade level (Kindergarten-Sixth grade) will each win a bicycle and helmet. To be eligible to enter, children must live in Snohomish County and qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. Entries must be received by October 31, 2008.

Eligibility
• Contest open to all Snohomish County Children in grades Kindergarten - sixth who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.


How to Enter
• Completely fill out all the required fields on the entry form, including first and last name, complete home mailing address (no P.O. Boxes), daytime telephone number (including area code), date of birth and e-mail address
• Essays must be 100 words or less and begin with: “The reason I would like a bicycle is. . .” (Kindergartners my substitute an art project or drawing in place of an essay).


Judging Criteria/Winner(s) Selection
• Essays will be judged on creativity, originality, grammar, spelling, and punctuation and conformity to contest rules.
• Essays must be written by students, not copied from other sources and not created in collaboration with anyone.
• Essays must include at least one bicycle safety element (such as wearing a helmet, signaling, observing stop signs, red lights and other traffic laws), how the student would care for the bicycle.
• Essays may be typed or handwritten. If handwritten, essays must be double-spaced, neat and legible.
• Students should make copies of student essays before sending. Essays will not be returned.
• Entries must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2008.

Winner(s) Notification
• Within a week of deadline for entries.
• Winning essays will be distributed to the media for possible publication.

Prizes
• Judges will select one male and one female first-place winner in each grade level, who will receive a bike and a bicycle helmet. Second and third-place winners in each grade level will receive bicycle helmets. All winners will receive a certificate of achievement from Clothes For Kids. This contest will allow for 14 bikes.

For more information, please contact: Ken Nabors at: joynessinbikedom@yahoo.com.



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Detach and place on back of each entry.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Student

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Age: ______ Grade: _____

School: _____________________________________________________________


Address: Street, City, ZIP Code

Phone Number: (______) _______________________________

Parent/Guardian

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Email: __________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
Address: Street, City, ZIP Code

Phone Number: (______)__________________


Please send essay entries to: Clothes For Kids, Bicycle Essay Contest
16725 52nd Avenue West, Lynnwood, WA 98056