Clothe-a-Child project kicks off campaign

Christmas is still over three months away, but some hard-working individuals are already making plans to help those in need this holiday season.

The Greene County Clothe-a-Child project is kicking off its 2009 drive to raise funds to provide a merrier Christmas for local children in need.

The project originally started in 1968 as the Linton Civitan Toys for Tots project, but has grown to include children all over Greene County.

Clothe-a-Child serves children 12 and under residing in Greene County school districts whose families have low income. The project's sponsoring agencies -- Linton and Ladies Civitan Clubs, Linton Rotary, and Bloomfield Psi Otes -- have worked together for the past 10 years, increasing the number of children served from 325 in 1999, to 540 last year.

To meet a goal of $50 per child in clothes and $20 in toys, the project will need to raise approximately $30,000 before Christmas.

That's a huge goal, considering the shape our economy. But these folks are dedicated and strong-willed individuals who won't stop until as many children can be served as possible.

The project is staffed entirely by volunteers from the participating organizations, no fees are paid to fundraising solicitors, and the fundraising expenses are limited to printing, supplies, and postage.

In 2008, less than 1% of the funds raised went to expenses. The project is continuing to try to improve coordination of Christmas assistance in the county, by cooperating with the Bloomfield Family Life Center and local school and church projects to make sure those in need are served, without duplicating benefits.

To raise funds, Clothe-a-Child seeks corporate and other organizational grants, conducts a mail solicitation campaign directed to area businesses, churches, and service organizations, and sets up bell-ringing stations staffed by volunteers to collect direct donations at area stores between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The project also collects coats and new toys to distribute directly. Coats may be dropped off for cleaning at Mercury Cleaners in Linton or Bloomfield, and boxes for toy contributions will be set up later in the fall at area banks, the Linton Sears store, and other locations to be announced later.

Applications for benefits will be available from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 at the Greene County Office of Family Resources, Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Bloomfield Town Hall, Worthington Town Hall, and the Jasonville Utility Office. Those families awarded benefits will receive vouchers several weeks prior to Christmas to shop for clothing on a specially designated shopping night at Walmart. Toys will be distributed at dinners at Saron United Church of Christ in Linton and First Methodist Church in Bloomfield on dates announced later.

The board welcomes new volunteers to participate in the project's fundraising and distribution activities. Individuals or groups interested in helping, such as by sponsoring toy drives, collecting coats, or providing ringers for the bell-ringing stations are encouraged to make contact to any of the following:

* Mail -- P.O. Box 516, Linton, Ind., 47441.

* E-mail -- kstrueh@sbcglobal.net or dknotts@bloombank.com .

* Phone -- Jim Riester/Karen Strueh 384-3531 (weekdays) or 875-2249; Dale Knotts 659-9966 (weekdays) or 847-9442.