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Editorial, Glens Falls (NY) Post Star 1/4/96

Reaching it seemed unlikely, even impossible, given the realities of a harsh economy. Yet residents dug down deep into their wallets and their hearts. And because of their generosity, 250 area needy children will have warm winter clothing this year.

When this year's $20,000 goal for The Post-Star's Warm the Children campaign was announced in October, even organizers admitted they probably wouldn't reach it.

The stagnant economy had forced many people to cut back on their contributions to charitable organizations over the years. There was no indication that 1995 would be any different.

But what even the most optimistic among us didn't count on was the depth of the community's compassion for its children.

 The campaign started off slowly, but gradually the number of donations grew. A prime motivator for many appeared to be the fact that 100 percent of donations goes to buy clothing for the children.

The Post-Star picked up all the administrative costs, volunteers from the community helped families select the items they needed, and the staff and management at the Sears and JCPennev stores in Aviation Mall donated time and money.

Campaign Administrator Thomas E. Haley, for the third straight year, spent countless hours preparing advertising material; soliciting, collecting and recording donations; and taking families shopping.

Donations came in from as far away as New York City, Connecticut and even Minnesota - an indication that our readers were spreading the word to family and friends.

Each donation, regardless of its size, made a difference. Many donated just the few dollars they could spare. In many ways, these people gave the most.

On behalf of the 250 children who this year will face winter's icy chill with warm mittens on their hands, warm coats around their bodies and warm boots on their feet, we say bless you and thank you.

Ann Arbor (MI) News 11/26/06

Shopping brings smiles to family
Warm The Children making a difference
BY SUSAN L. OPPAT

News Staff Reporter

In its 10th year at The Ann Arbor News, the Warm the Children program has oper­ated on a very simple premise — literally to warm the children, children who need warm, de­cent, brand-new clothing as winter sets in.
After raising more than $1 million in the past nine years, the program begins its fund­raising drive today, asking read­ers in Washtenaw and southern Livingston counties to contrib­ute whatever they can to help put clothes on children's backs. With more than 500 volunteers working on the effort, and The News absorbing all administra­tive costs, every penny donated is a penny spent on a child.
Each fall, The News asks ar­ea teachers and social workers to submit the names of children age 16 and under who need help. Aided by volunteers, The News matches families with shoppers, usually members of church groups and service clubs, but also News employ­ees and other individuals who go out on their own time.
The shoppers meet their families at Meijer stores in Washtenaw and Livingston counties and use News-issued purchase orders to buy winter clothing. This year, the amount spent per child was increased from $80 to $90. Most years, the volunteers shop for between 1,500 and 1,600 children. Other children often had to wait a year, until money and volun­teers became available. This year, 2,000 children will receive new jackets, mittens, hats, boots and clothing.

According to SOS Commu­nity Services, in the first six months of 2006 there were 50,000 homeless people in Michigan. Of those, 56 percent were in families. In 2004, the last time a survey was taken, Washtenaw County had about 3,000 homeless people.
Neither figure includes the working poor families whose children also need clothing.
Walter and Janetta Burns, whose three youngest children, Diana, 15, Caleb, 11, and Cyn­thia, 9, attend Lincoln Consoli­dated Schools in Washtenaw County, is one of those families. They also have three adult chil­dren.
Walter Burns, 48, has been a school bus driver for Ypsilanti Public Schools for 19 years. Janetta, 45, is vision-impaired, and has been a homemaker for the 24 years after she dropped out of college to get married.
They are a proud, close fam­ily, but it's been tough raising six children on a bus driver's salary. Still, they were bound to do it - and on their own - even if it meant Walter and Janetta sometimes went without.
"Sometimes, we go without a coat to make sure the chil­dren have something," Janet­ta Burns said. "We don't have to feel a sense of shame or embarrassment over making those necessary sacrifices for our kids."
When Warm the Children first called the Burns family several years ago, offering to shop for their children, Janet­ta decided they could make do for another year. She thanked the program and declined the offer. Someone else might need the clothing more, she said.
This year was another story. A summer of record-breaking gasoline prices and a previous winter of $400 heating bills had taken a chunk out of the cou­ple's savings. The kids' coats wouldn't stretch any longer, because the kids' arms had.
"We were not even really sure about this Christmas," Janetta Burns said. "We prayed the Lord would some­how make a way. He usually finds a way for a kid."
Walter Burns initially had some difficulty accepting the help, but went along with his wife and children to do the shopping with volunteer Lizzie Burt, of Ann Arbor. He said was he pleasantly surprised.         
Burt "was very nice and pa­tient." Walter Burns said.
"It was not really rushed, we took it one child at a time," Walter Burns said. "She pretty much let the kids get what they wanted, what they pre­ferred. It was discreet, not really obvious" that the fam­ily was getting help with their purchases.
Burt, who has shopped with two families a year for about five years, couldn't say enough about the Burns fami­ly, and the respect the children showed toward each other and their parents.
"I feel like I would like them to be my best friends," Burt said. "They are warm, caring, loving, and it was just so heart­ening to see them all delight in each other's new clothes."
Janetta Burns said she tried to put aside money for boots and long underwear, "but it gets discouraging sometimes. As a family, you want to be self-reliant, independent, do it on your own. But it got really tough, when gas prices shot up.
"I told (Walter), everyone in the house knows you work hard, but things happened, unexpected, out of our control, and sometimes God opens up a little door to get us over the hump. I encouraged him to get this for the kids."
"All I can say is, it was a tremendous blessing and a privilege to experience the program," she said. "I am for­tunate to see my children go to school with a decent coat on their backs. It brought a tear to my eyes.
"My son wanted to wear his boots to school. I told him there was no snow on the ground," she said, laughing.
Caleb said he liked shop­ping, and worked to stick to his $90 budget.
"I liked being able to choose. This jacket keeps me warmer than the other coat. I had the other coat for two years. I think this will last me a long time, too," Caleb said. "I just wanted to keep it down on price. I saw some shoes, they were, like, $99. I didn't want to be all selfish. I used my mon­ey to buy extra stuff — socks, gloves, coat, hat."
Diana considered it "fun to actually get to pick out what we wanted. I got a good price on a coat and even got some sweaters. Really cute sweat­ers, at least five; they were all on sale."
She was happy for Cynthia, too.
"She was able to get new things. We were all excited. She usually gets my hand-me-downs." Cynthia got a prized pair of Bratz boots.
Janetta Burns praised the Warm the Children program.
This is "what it's all about, helping a fellow man in need," she said. "It's what makes America great, that we've got wonderful programs like this, and the Red Cross, Salvation Army, churches, SOS, that everybody comes together to help meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves.
"When you bless someone else, you get back the greater blessing of having that joy."
Susan Oppat can be reached at soppat@annarbornews.com or at 734-4821, 166

  
Editor’s column, The Sentinel, Carlisle/Shippensburg PA

His hair was ragged, as if it hacked with a dull blade.
His clothes were more than worn; they were tattered and patched. The pants were held up on his painfully thin frame by a piece of rope. His shoes were broken so badly they could hardly be tied.
He wasn't dirty, but he was scruffy. And he never, ever smiled.
A child— only 6 years old — he sat in the first grade class refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
My daughter Sherry, who even then, 30 years ago, was always quick to jump on a soapbox, told me about John.
He was the child of poor but proud tenant farmers. His home life was totally different than that of the great majority of town children in the school.
Still, Sherry couldn't understand why John was either taunted or ignored. She wanted me to do something about it.
We lived only a block from the school. She could reach home by crossing the school grounds to a sidewalk that led up the block to the house. So, most days, she chose to come home for lunch.
But one morning, I found her filling her lunchbox for John — so he could have one like all the other kids.
I know John cared what others thought because he kept Sherry's lunchbox. He brought it to school each day even when it had nothing inside.
One day Sherry came home with a birth­day party invitation from another classmate. The mother had come to school to hand them out. Every child and the teacher was invited except for John and Larry, who was African–American.
Imagine the pain of rejection for those two children. The cruelty of this action amazes the to this day. Sherry didn't go. It was her decision, and one that made me proud.
John was excluded — a lonely introvert who refused to show his pain even though he was aware of what was going on.
Larry was completely different. Born a fighter, he showed up at the party, daring anyone to banish him. Today, he is a lawyer.
I don't know what became of John. The land on which his family eked out an exis­tence was sold before Sherry entered second grade and they moved on.
But I did see this child — one of five sib­lings — come to school on the coldest win­ter day in a threadbare jacket. I went to the store and bought him a coat.
It took a small group of concerned grownups a long time to get John's family to accept our gifts of clothing for the children. As I said, they were proud.
The memory of a child — so beaten down at six years old — is not something that can be forgotten. It is always somewhere in the mind, waiting to be reborn.
So, when we, at The Sentinel, were approached about the Warm the Children program, I remembered John. Here is a way to help others like him. The Shippensburg Sentinel is sponsoring this program now through Christmas.   When you "Warm the Children," you do more than just provide new clothing. You put them on equal footing with their peers. You take away the stigma of being different. You give them a chance to build pride and confidence. By giving money to buy the clothing, you can make this possible. By volunteering to shop with them, you can show these Shippensburg area children and their families that they are part of a community that cares about them. A program like this can change lives — if everyone believes it can. You can send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Warm the Children
The Shippensburg Sentinel
79 W. St. Shippensburg PA 17257

Villas County News-Review, Eagle River WI 12/14/05

Warm The Children

Volunteer shoppers vital to News-Review program 
Warm The Children is a pro­gram that not only benefits eli­gible children, but provides per­sonal reward and a sense of sat­isfaction for the volunteers who shop with the children.
Since the program began in 1997, Betty Miller of Eagle River has been a volunteer shopper and she looks forward to the opportunity to help oth­ers in this way.
"Families need these things. I wanted to do this to help the families and I continue to do it for the personal satisfaction and all the hugs they give me," Miller said.
"This is the greatest thing for these families. I got involved because I'm getting older and I had the time and I'll continue to do this as long as I am able," said Miller.
Volunteer shoppers are matched with a needy child and have a designated amount of money to spend on clothing for that child. Volunteers will meet their families at Pamida and then assist in choosing suitable clothing to meet each child's needs. For several years, Jane Powell of St. Germain also has been a shopper. "Why not," Powell said when she heard about the program and the need for volunteers to shop. "It's a fantastic program and a god­send for these families."

When Powell became aware of a mother who had recently had a baby and fit the qualifications, she told her about the program. The mother applied and Powell was able to be her shopper. "She was over‑whelmed and walked out of the store on a cloud, "Powell said. "This is a fantastic program and I think it's wonderful that people from all over the country respond with donations." Pam Martino moved to Conover five months ago and learned about the program from a friend.

"I thought it was a good idea and called to volunteer. I've done it once so far and the fam­ily was wonderful. The child was 7 months old and we were able to get quite a few items, in­cluding a snowsuit and paja­mas. The family was very ap­preciative," said Martino who is scheduled to take another fam­ily shopping soon.

Also a first-time shopper, Nancy Eskridge of Eagle River volunteered after reading about the program last year. "I have found it personally humbling," said Eskridge, "and I am happy this type of program is available here, especially at this time of year," she continued.

"This year our goal is to raise $40,000 and we have sent almost 400 children shopping," said Byron McNutt, publisher. "We're in need of approximately $15,000 in order to meet the cost."

To make a donation, clip and mail the donation form found in today's newspaper to Warm The Children, P.O. Box 1929, Eagle River, WI 54521, or drop off dona­tions at the News-Review office at in Eagle River.

Editor’s column, The Journal, Martinsburg WV
0n one of the recent cloudy blustery days, I passed a schoolyard where children were playing during recess. I wondered to myself if I had insisted earlier that morning that my son wear a heavy coal to school. The temperature hadn't climbed to what the weather- man had predicted and it was cold — plain and simple.

I then began to wonder about other kids throughout our area who didn't have warm win­ter coats to wear, not because their moms had relied on an inaccurate weather forecast, but because their families just didn't have the money to buy coats, hats, scarves and gloves - plain and simple.

It was time to begin The Journal's third annual "Warm The Children" campaign, in which warm winter clothing is distributed to needy children throughout our communities.

Last year was my first experience with this program, and it was indeed overwhelming. Not only because of what the program provides, but because of the people I met who were so incredi­bly willing to work with the newspaper to make it a success.

The Junior Civic League, which last year merged its Coats for Kids program with ours, is again willing to help this year. There are incredi­bly hard-working volunteers in this organization who've operated a very successful coat drive for many, many years in this community. Not only did members help us raise money last year, they acted as volunteer shoppers, and spearheaded the writing of thank-you notes to our generous con­tributors. I wouldn't have known where to begin without Debbie Ditto's help last year.

As we begin the program this year, the ,response has been even more heartwarming. In just more than a week's time, more than $4,000 has been collected. Those donations have ranged from $1 from it single senior citizen living in an assisted living complex to $150 from it couple living on High Street in Martinsburg. Organiza­tions and churches like the Martinsburg Rotary Club, the Moose Lodge 120 and the Calvary United Methodist Church/Fidelis Class also have been extremely generous so far, proving that clubs and churches do indeed play a very impor­tant role in community service. Businesses have also been outstanding to us in this program. Last year, One Valley Bank made a $ 1,000 donation. Sexton Can Co. is the first business on board this year.

Thanks to all who have donated so quickly and generously.      

We have about six short weeks left in our campaign - during which we'll be collecting money, getting the names of needy families from the Salvation Army, matching up volunteer shoppers with families, shopping,  producing advertisements and stories to keep you updated about the program, writing thank you's to contributors and settling our accounts with stores.

It will be a busy but worthwhile six weeks. If you can help us in any way, please call me personally at the newspaper. I hope we can continue to make the community and our readers proud of and committed to this program because it is, indeed, this community’s program.
Without your help, we won't succeed. With it, we hope to help 200 kids.

Store managers also were extremely helpful, and I can't say enough about the willingness of Kmart, Sears and Penney's to work with us this year once again on this project.  Those are the places where we'll he taking our families to shop. Last year, under the direction of store man­ager Mike Morel,  Sears made a $1,000 donation to the campaign, which was put to immediate and good use.

The program wouldn't happen without the Salvation Army, which identifies needs and pro­vides us with the names of 200 children to he helped. Despite having its own holiday programs to run, the Salvation Army is always willing to help with our program. Without "Dorothy," I'd be lost!

Many volunteers throughout the community last year not only contributed with generous monetary donations, but gave us their lime as well. On many cold dark nights, they met with families of four or six to do what in many instances would he that family's holiday shop­ping. It was heartwarming. We'll he calling on them again.