Clothing Our Kids is a local, 100 percent volunteer organization that provides clothing, shoes and coats to at risk elementary school children throughout Sussex County at no charge. COK works exclusively with the school nurses at all 33 Sussex County elementary schools. The nurses are the people most familiar with the family histories of these children. Founded in Millsboro in 2012, Clothing Our Kids provided approximately 850 items to 150 students that year. Last year, COK distributed over 16,000 items to more than 3,500 students!

As the weather turns colder, they would like to make Cape Region residents aware of two things:

First, if someone knows of a family with elementary school children in need of coats, sweaters, shoes or clothing, they can receive them free of charge. A parent or guardian simply needs to contact the school nurse who will provide them with the information about each child. Some of the 150 volunteers will package and deliver the items to the school, usually within a day, or at the latest, after the weekend.

Second, Clothing Our Kids relies entirely on donations of clothing or cash to make this possible. If a business, house of worship, social organization or community organization would like to help by either donating funds or organizing a clothing drive, they would be extremely grateful. They accept new clothing (especially coats at this time of year) sizes 4-16. Volunteers will gladly come to pick up any items or donations which have been collected.

Although they are entering the holiday season, Clothing Our Kids does not collect or distribute Christmas presents. What they do goes on all year long. Their goal is to ensure that no child in Sussex County ever misses a day of school or suffers from low self esteem because he or she does not have proper clothing or shoes to walk to school in. Anyone having any questions, or who would like to support them with clothing, a donation or as a volunteer, email glennianschuster@gmail.com.