GREENFIELD — It may seem early to start thinking about snowsuits, mittens and winter coats, but not for the families who lined up at the Franklin County Fairgrounds this week, waiting to pick out new free winter clothing for their children.
At the busiest times, about a hundred customers an hour walked through the Warm the Children clothing shop that was set up in the Dole Building, picking out socks, warm underwear, pajamas, hoodies, coats, and handmade hats and mittens for children in need.
Warm the Children was started in 1993 by The Recorder, which coordinates the fundraising drive, which along with the work of many volunteers, fuels the charity. This past year, the community donated about $84,300 for the winter clothing program, along with the hand-knitted hats and goods that several delighted children wore as they walked out of the Dole building.
And now the Recorder is collecting money again toward next year’s clothing.
Wilson’s Department Store arranges the purchase of the winter clothing for children ages 1 to 12, and Community Action works with several local service agencies to screen eligible families and set up shopping appointments during the three days when the “shop” is open.
From Wednesday through Friday, about 1,200 families got winter clothing for their children, according to Killeen Perras, coordinator of the shopping event. Working with dozens of Franklin County agencies, Perras assigned them a number of shopping “slots” for families. Each year she rotates which agencies are scheduled for the opening day, when clothing selection is the greatest. “During the three days, I schedule about 100 per hour,” she said.
Each customer goes through rows of tables of clothing with a volunteer who makes sure each child gets what’s allotted: one package of underwear, six pairs of socks, thermal pajamas or a blanket sleeper, a hoodie, a coat, hat and a pair of gloves or mittens.
“This is a godsend for people getting ready for winter, Christmas and winter coat season,” said Susan Jones, director of Families and Youth Services of United ARC of Greenfield. She was there to pick out clothing for a family that was unable to come themselves.
Bekki Craig of the Greenfield Housing Authority shopped for five children Wednesday and for 11 children on Thursday. Craig is the resident services coordinator for Oak Courts apartments.
“We had spaces for 80 children this year,” said Craig. But she added that there were more families in need than could be accommodated. “Families really rely on it,” she said. “As word of mouth spreads, people start asking for it. It really helps families to not have to spend money every year on things their kids need. To start the (fall) season with supplies makes families and children feel secure. That makes for better behaved citizens,” she said.
“Children getting something that preparatory – before it’s an emergency – feels very safe,” said Craig. “It’s a wonderful thing that our community does. It’s a staple of what we do as a community that makes me really proud to be in Greenfield.”
“I love to see the smiling faces when a child gets a brand new jacket or a snow suit,” said Recorder Publisher Michael Rifanburg, “although providing clothing for 1,200 children doesn’t begin to serve all of those in need in Franklin County.”
“We are so grateful to our partners in Warm the Children: Wilson’s Department Store and Community Action,” said Rifanburg. “Without them and the hard work of all the volunteers, this would not be possible. And we must thank the community for their generous donations.”
To donate, send a check to: Warm the Children, c/o The Recorder, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA 01302. Also, new clothing may be dropped at The Greenfield Recorder, at 14 Hope St., any time.
If you or your organization plans a fundraiser this fall, let us know, so we can spread the word through a series of stories we will be publishing between now and Thanksgiving. Email news@recorder.com.