GREENFIELD — As Sage Stone frolicked near the playground at Oak Courts on Friday, the 3½-year-old was covered head to toe in clothes that will protect her from the elements as she helps make snowmen or go sledding with neighbors.

The articles of clothing came from Warm the Children, The Recorder’s charity that each year provides winter clothes to roughly 1,000 Franklin County children in need.

Crystal Cutter, Sage’s mother, said this is the second year she has utilized Warm the Children.

“It is definitely a huge help, having that, because not only do they give us coats and … winter pants, but they also give them hats and gloves and socks and pajamas — all that good stuff,” she said as little Sage sat in a stroller, contemplating whether to venture into the cold on her own.

Cutter said she heard about Warm the Children through neighbors, Community Action Pioneer Valley and Rebecca “Bekki” Craig of the Greenfield Housing Authority.

A temporary Warm the Children “store” is set up in the Dole Building at the Franklin County Fairgrounds each year. Distribution lasted from Sept. 19 through 21 this year. Children and their families or guardians visit the Dole Building and hand a form — detailing the number of children, their age and gender — to a volunteer shopper who takes the children on a “shopping trip” through the building to make sure they get every article of clothing they’re entitled to. The process is anonymous.

“Interestingly enough, I haven’t actually made it to the actual event for the past two years, because I’ve had something else going on,” Cutter said, “so Bekki’s actually picked (the clothes) up for me.”

Cutter said she plans to participate in Warm the Children again next year.

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. Wilson’s Department Store in Greenfield 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.

Cutter said she and Sage used to go to play groups at Community Action on Federal Street.

“It’s a really good place,” she said. “They’ve helped us out a lot.”

Debbie Daly, the buyer and manager at the downtown store, said 1,200 children were accommodated by Warm the Children this year and the year prior.

Now, the Recorder is collecting money again toward next year’s clothing. 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 during the year during business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Reach DomenicPoli at
dpoli@recorder.com or
413-772-0261, ext. 262.