Each year, we at Team Reba hold a clothing drive for Treehouse, a non-profit that helps to provide foster children with clothing and other supplies to help make their lives more normal. Most people don’t realize that the State of Washington only provides about $300 per year for clothing for these kids, which barely covers much of anything; perhaps maybe a couple of new outfits each year. If you’ve ever had any kids of your own, then you know that kids outgrow clothing and shoes pretty quickly.
We’re starting our clothing drive again at the beginning of August but I thought I’d get a jump start by putting a post here to alert all of you so you can start thinking about what you might be able to help provide. While it would be great if we could have a large group donation to drop off we’re also happy if we’ve alerted you to the program and you drop off your donation direction or perhaps even decide to have a clothing drive of your own.
The items that get missed quite a bit by well meaning donors are the basics. True basics such as socks, shoes, belts and underwear (including bras for young ladies). Also needed are clothes that can fit into public schools but that keep in mind that many schools now have minimum dress codes. Great additional options are khakis, hoodies, simple shirts with no logos or off-color sayings. A full list of needed items can be received if you contact me directly, we’ll send you out the list we received with our clothing drive packet, or you can contact Treehouse for your own list.
Besides the annual clothing drive there are several other very worthy programs that Treehouse manages each year such as mentoring, college prep help (called Coaching to College), advocacy, and more. Your participation with this organization will be well appreciated and may make the difference in a child’s life.
I’m personally committed to this program because as an adopted person myself, if I hadn’t had a family adopt me I would have ended up in the foster system. Add to that the truth that nearly 50% of all kids that age out of the foster system end up homeless, well, I just can’t let that knowledge sit within me without wanting, and needing, to do something about it. I was blessed to have a family that took me in and cared for, raised, clothed, and loved me. Every kid should have a chance and Treehouse attempts to fill the gaps that open up in these kid’s lives. I hope you’ll join us in working to make a difference!
