FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — After hosting three successful Kids Community Closets this past summer, United Way of Aroostook and Aroostook County Action Program received a request from the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority to bring the event back to help clothe local children and teens at no cost to families in February.
The Closet will take place at the Community Room at Fort Fairfield Housing Authority from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, and is open to the public.
United Way will accept donations of gently used clean or new clothing for infants, toddlers, children and teens up until the day of the event at their Aroostook Centre Mall office. People can also bring donations to the Fort Fairfield Housing Authority or the Fort Fairfield Health Center.
In July and August, United Way, ACAP and Adopt-A-Block in Houlton hosted similar clothing swap days in Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton. These events were such a success that coordinators discussed bringing similar clothing swaps to other communities.
“The Fort Fairfield Housing Authority contacted us,” said United Way Executive Director Sherry Locke, “and their assistance has made organizing this midyear event quite simple.”
In the same spirit as ACAP’s Community Cupboard, the Second Chances Kids Community Closet works on a philosophical system of “leave what you can, take what you need,” and is open to anyone in the community who may benefit from the clothing exchange. There is no application process and no qualifying criteria.
Locke said having clean, comfortable, fashionable, and weather-appropriate clothing helps children maintain pride in their appearance and, more importantly, confidence. Confidence helps to build a positive attitude around learning and increases overall success in school. The event will help with additional clothing needs at a particularly tough time of the year.
“Winters are already hard on families with increased costs for heating fuel, snow removal and energy consumption. Kids don’t stop growing because it’s winter, though, and in the winter, there is also a need for warmer clothing,” Locke said.
“This year, some families have been hit particularly hard because of the early onset of the cold and snow and the government shutdown on top of that. With budgets already stretched, this is our way of helping. Families can come shop at no cost with their kids to find clothes that they like and that fit well and that will help keep them warm during these trying months,” said Locke.
For a complete list of clothing donation sites, sponsors, volunteer needs and event news, including location updates, visit United Way on Facebook or contact Locke at 764-5197.
