Douglas County clothing drive taking donations
by Carin R. Kirkegaard
Starting August 3 through August 15, Clothes to Kids (CTK) of Denver is coming to Douglas County. CTK is a non-profit organization that provides new and quality used clothing to low-income school aged children, free of charge.
Currently donations are being taken. CTK is looking for quality used and new clothing and shoes, sizes 4T through adult. CTK is also in need of new packages of socks and underwear.
The idea behind CTK is to provide quality clothes so the children wearing them will find self-confidence when they go to school. “The old clothes from the seventies that were dug out from the back of the closet, is not what we are looking for,” said Kim Wagner, Castle Pines Village resident and spearhead of CTK in Douglas County.
Wagner has volunteered at the Denver branch of CTK for nearly one year. Wagner learned of a need in Douglas County from her sister, a teacher in the Douglas County School District (DCSD), but with the Denver branch the children must be residents of Denver County. With this need in mind, Wagner approached Denver’s CTK and asked to run a two-week store in Douglas County.
“It’s a win-win situation,” said Wagner. “Not only do Douglas County children get needed assistance, but any leftover donated clothes will be taken to Denver’s CTK,” continued Wagner.
To be eligible for a wardrobe from CTK, participants need to live in Douglas County and children must be in school grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.
In addition, families must be considered in financial need. Examples of need include families on free or reduced lunch in the DCSD, families receiving other social services, or families in crisis from fire, flood, medical emergency, or loss of home or job. Families can also be referred to CTK by a social worker, teacher, school administrator, guidance counselor, pastor, priest or rabbi.
Donations for CTK in Douglas County can be dropped off at the Butter Braid Warehouse in Castle Rock at 3211 Commerce CT, Castle Rock. Collection times are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tax receipts will be available.
Eligible families can contact Wagner for an appointment to shop. Wagner can be reached at 303-880-9395. To learn more about CTK, visit the Denver location website at www.clothestokidsdenver.org.
