Rotarians Seek Donations For Annual 'Clothe the Children' Drive

EAST HAVEN, CT — The East Haven Rotary Club is seeking donations for its 18th annual “Ben Mazzucco Clothe the Children” project to be held in January 2020.

Each year Rotarians receive suggested lists of names of children from the elementary and middle schools in the East Haven system.

On a Saturday in January, the children, who have been recommended by school administrators, and their parents/guardians will meet Rotarians at Kohl's in Branford and are able to shop for items of clothing totaling $100 per child. The club monitors quite closely that all items purchased are classified as clothing and that the sizes will correspond to the child present. While at Kohl's, the purchasers will also receive the benefit of any sales prices that the store may be offering at the time of purchase. The store also generously extends an additional discount to the Rotary, which enables the club to increase the number of children served.

Co-chairperson Barbara Brow is anticipating the need for donations will be even more critical this year as upwards of 80 to 100 deserving children are annually extended the invitation.

“Although our economy appears to be strong for some, the need of these families to provide the bare necessities for their children seems to continue to grow each year," Brow said.

Fundraising events again were coordinated by teachers at elementary schools in East Haven. In addition, the National Junior Honor Society students from the JMMS Middle School also raises funds. The Clothe the Children Committee and the East Haven Rotary continue to be very pleased with this unique “kids helping kids” type of fundraising.

In addition to the funds that the schools raised for the program, the monies that are received from local businesses and residents through direct donations, are critical to the long-term viability of the program.

During the past seventeen years, the East Haven Rotary “Clothe the Children” program has provided clothing for over 1000 children, which with the above-mentioned discounts, totals over
$100,000 worth of merchandise that they have received.

Anyone wishing to donate, may mail checks payable to the “East Haven Rotary Clothe the Children” to East Haven Rotary, PO Box 120598, East Haven CT 06512.

Donations may also be made at the club’s website using the drop down box to specify the funds go to Ben Mazzucco Clothe the Children.