The Clothes Closet at Huntsville High School is a place where students can find free clothing and accessories. It needs the community’s ongoing support, through donations of both funds and student-appropriate clothing, to help ensure students have the essential items they need, especially heading into winter.
The initiative was started in 2016 by local resident Karen Litchfield, but during the pandemic she and volunteers were not able to access The Clothes Closet.
“I wondered what the consequences of us not being able to go in would have on its effectiveness and its future,” said Litchfield.
School staff did their best to keep The Clothes Closet up and running while volunteers were not permitted on the premises, notes Litchfield, adding that the demand for its services continued and requests for specific clothing items has increased since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Although I wasn’t able to go in to the high school, I kept in contact with school personnel to fill any special requests for clothing items a student had,” says Litchfield. “I have to give a special shoutout to all individuals who gave a private monetary donation, [as well as] Ironman 70.3, Drive Muskoka, and The Men of Grandview for their generous monetary donations during these difficult times. These donations have made it possible for me to purchase specific items a student needed and that we did not have available in The Clothes Closet.”
Litchfield is also grateful to all community members who have continued to donate gently used and new clothing items to The Clothes Closet.
“It was a relief to hear that a co-op student, Ally Frankland, offered to run The Clothes Closet during her co-op placement,” says Litchfield, who was granted access to the high school in October as ‘the clothing ambassador’ just as Frankland’s co-op placement was ending.
“It was wonderful to see how the school, with leadership from Shelley Yearly and Katlynn Chapman, has added to and improved the physical space,” she says. “I look forward to once again filling the needs of the students. Ongoing donations of gently used and new clothing suitable for high school students are needed to keep this project functioning. Monetary donations are also appreciated, as they allow us to purchase specific clothing in sizes we may not have in stock.”
“Working in The Clothes Closet has been a great experience,” says Frankland. “The Clothes Closet has come a long way since I started in mid-September; from getting new shelves to getting in a bunch of clothes. We have given away clothing to over 300 students. It has been great seeing everyone wear and enjoy their clothes… I have loved being a part of The Clothes Closet. Knowing I’ve made a small difference in the school by helping run it brings me a lot of joy.”
“The Clothes Closet is an invaluable resource for HHS students. In addition to drop-in visits during Thursday’s lunch hour, many students access it for specific needs throughout the week,” says Shelley Yearly. “HHS staff have raised the profile of The Clothes Closet in a number of ways, including arranging for classes to visit to shop as well as ensuring that specific students have a private shopping time. “The donations from the community are much appreciated by students. It has been heartwarming to see students benefit from new-to-them jackets, shoes and other clothing. Other students delight in finding a great piece of clothing that fits with their eclectic style. Karen’s dedication to ensuring individual needs are met, including filling custom orders, means that our students have what they need for work and play.”
Having Frankland support the reorganization and reopening of The Clothes Closet after its extended closure during the pandemic “allowed for significant reorganization and refreshing to happen,” adds Yearly. “A special thanks too to Mr. Breandan Roche, Ms. Jennie Exell and their students as well as Mr. Jeff Brady and Mr. Wes Palmer for their assistance with the reopening of The Clothes Closet.”
Right now, the Clothes Closet is most in need of winter coats, hats and toques, mittens and gloves, hoodies, underwear, socks, winter boots (the students like boots that look like Blundstones), and running shoes.
Clothing and monetary donations (cheques made out to ’The Clothes Closet’) can be dropped off to Karen Litchfield at 371 South Fairy Lake Rd. Please don’t drop items off at the school—they don’t have an appropriate drop-off space, and Litchfield will look through donations to ensure the items are clean, without any flaws, and are age-appropriate. She can be reached at 705-783-0686 or [email protected].
For more information, visit The Clothes Closet Facebook page here.
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