an awesome opportunity to help local children

The student council at Tierra Antigua Elementary is doing a really great service project this week.  They are collecting clothes to donate to the APS clothing bank.  They are hoping to fill a hot air balloon trailer with clothes by November 10th.

For those who aren't aware:
The APS clothing bank is a place where students from APS schools can go to receive clothes to wear to school.  It is run by the local PTA council.  Only children who are referred by their school can receive these clothes.  They TRULY go to kids who do not have anything suitable to wear to school (which is actually a pretty high number in some areas and yes, there are several students from our local schools here in Ventana who do use the service too.)  When you think about "suitable to wear to school," we're talking about kids who come in clothes that are many sizes too small, or may literally only have one set of clothing and come in the same thing every day for weeks, often without washing.  I believe when they are referred, they are given two complete sets of clothing.

The APS clothing bank has made a plea to the community to help soon.  Otherwise, they will have to shut their doors before winter break.  They are nearly empty.  They are in special need of coats and jeans from sizes pre-K to high school (adult sizes.)  They also need other gently used clothing in those sizes, as well as clean and well cared for stuffed animals, backpacks, and toys.  Socks, shoes, and underwear MUST BE NEW.  For sanitary purposes, they do not accept used socks, shoes or underwear.  Also, especially, in the high school sizes, they do like things to be of current style so that the kids fit in better at school.  

Please help!  If you have donations, you can drop them off at Tierra Antigua this week, just inside the main doors near the office.  Or, if you want to drop them off at my house, I would be happy to take them up to the school as well.  You can leave them under my covered front porch anytime.  Look me up in the directory or contact me at michechapman(at)gmail(dot)com

You can also make a monetary donation if you wish.  But, if you choose to do this, you must make it directly to the clothing bank.  Send it to:
BCCPTA clothing bank
P.O. Box 92675
Albuquerque, NM 87119

Thank you!  Wouldn't it be awesome if we could fill that balloon trailer?  That would really be a lot of clothes and would help so many kids.
~Michelle C.