When Tammy Bowling sent her check to Warm the Children this year, she included a small note in the envelope.

“This is just a small token to thank you for the help you gave me and my two sons when it was so desperately needed,” part of the note said.

For Bowling, donating to Warm the Children this year was a way to pay it forward.

Her sons are grown now, one is 26 and the other is 18, but she remembers clearly the struggle of being a single mother and trying to provide for her children.

Bowling didn’t use Warm the Children every year her children were growing up, but used the program when she had trouble affording winter clothing for the boys.

“The people that get help are the ones that really need it,” she said.

She said she was always so amazed by how much clothing they give each child. Her sons were always excited when they found out they were going to get the clothing.

Bowling said life is good now. They boys have grown up and she’s engaged and happy. So now she does everything within her means to help those who have need.

“I’ve been there and my heart just goes out to them,” she said.

She said the program is great because it helps people within the county and donors know where their money goes. She said the volunteers never looked down on her or treated her as less than, which keeps parents from turning away on account of pride.

“Being a single mom, and everything was on me,” she said. “When I desperately needed them, they were there. And my children stayed warm because of them.”

Every year the goal is to collect $85,000 to get 1,000 children clothing for the winter whose families may otherwise struggle to get it for them. Fundraising stops on Dec. 31. Kelsey Klerowski from The Recorder said they are on track for donations this year.

To donate to Warm the Children, send a check to: Warm the Children, c/o The Recorder, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA 01302. New clothing may also be dropped off at The Recorder, at 14 Hope St., any time during the year.

If you have stories to tell about Warm The Children or are planning fundraisers, let us know.

You can reach
Miranda Davis at:
mdavis@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280