By Roxie Rahn, Plymouth County City Life Director
As students return to school and fall begins, cooler weather is just around the corner. When the weather gets cold, most of us don’t think much about not having necessities. We go to our closet overflowing with coats or jackets and baskets full of hats, gloves, and scarves to choose from. However, there are young people in our community who do not have that luxury. When cold weather arrives, they put on an extra sweatshirt, if they have one, or simply brave the cold in the warmest gear they can find.
Each Fall, the Le Mars City Life Teen Center gives away coats, hats, gloves, and boots to kids in need. What first began as a grant from the Le Mars Educational Agency, has now bloomed into a fully donation-funded program. We are so thankful for those who give generously in many ways and for the grant funds to help keep the youth in our community warm during the cold months.
The relief in a young person’s eyes and body language when they know they have a coat and gloves tugs on my heart – every time. The shame they used to wear when having to ask for these items is now replaced by security and joy in knowing they have access to them each year through our Closet. Our Clothes Closet is fully stocked thanks to many of you and the kids are blessed beyond measure because of it.
If you have gently used clothing (jeans, shirts, coats, boots, shorts, shoes, etc) please consider donating them to our Clothes Closet by contacting roxie@siouxlandyfc.org. If you want to make a financial donation towards the Coat Project, CLICK HERE to give and note “clothes closet.” Thank you for making a difference in the lives of youth in our community.