stepping up - Shoes and Clothes for Kids

SCK expandsbuying programSCK has received a grant inthe amount of $25,000 fromThe Hershey Foundation. Thisfunding will allow SCK toexpand our buying program.We will continue to look forthe best pricing and bestquality items. While Kids inDistressed Situations (K.I.D.S.)will continue to supply muchneeded items this new projectwill supplement the donationsthat we are already receiving.The ultimate effect being thatSCK will be able to serve evenmore kids with what theyneed. Special thanks to TheHershey Foundation for thisgenerous gift.SavetheDateShoes and Clothesfor KidsHeart & SoleLuncheonHonoring MayorFrank G. Jackson,City of Clevelandwith the GoldenShoe AwardMonday, October 23, 200611:30 am - 1:30 pmRenaissance Cleveland HotelParmatown MallNight of GivingTo benefit Shoes andClothes for KidsSunday, November 19, 20066:30 - 10:00 pmParmatown Mall2006 ExecutiveCommitteeNewly AppointedCommittee ChairsCommunicationsCommittee Co-ChairSid GoodDevelopmentCommittee Co-ChairsPatrick McCarthy andStephanie McHenrySCK teams withBrowns RookieClass and Boysand Girls ClubsSCK teamed with the Cleveland Brownsand our partner, Boys and Girls Club,for a day of community service, sportactivities and arts and crafts. The dayconsisted of motivational speaking fromBrowns’ players, relay races, painting,water balloon toss and packing clothingfor upcoming distributions. The Brownsalso donated thousands of pairs ofsocks to SCK.andDevelop winning partnershipwith Shoes and Clothes for KidsThe holiday time is one of the busiest timesfor SCK. The phone is always ringing withdesperate pleas from parents and othersseeking shoes and clothing items for theirchildren. In some cases our donation maybe the only presents a child receives. Youcan imagine the importance.In 2005, SCK and NewsChannel 5 onceagain collaborated during the month ofDecember to spread the news about familiesneeding assistance and how the communitycould help those less fortunate. In effort toreach even more viewers Holcomb’sKnowPlace stores became a sponsor foradvertisements seen throughout Decemberon NewsChannel 5. The stores also had aChair’s ReportA Personal Message from the Chair of Shoes and Clothes for KidsGreetings,It’s exciting to be a part of Shoesand Clothes for Kids, especiallyas the incoming chair of theboard of directors. I am humbledand honored to step into thereally big shoes of the prior chair,vic gelb and his predecessor,Allan Krulak. Their tirelessdedication and thoughtful,pragmatic leadership has had atremendous positive impact onthe lives of countless Clevelandarea children. Their example sets the bar for me and the restof the board, as we continue to build on the solid foundationestablished through their efforts. Fortunately for us, both ofthem continue to be engaged and active with the organization.Special thanks to Stephanie McHenry and Patrick McCarthy,who have stepped into leadership roles as co-chairs of theDevelopment Committee. Raising the money to buy the clothesand the gift cards for shoes will always be one of the mostfundamental and critical roles within Shoes and Clothes forKamerion Wimbley, rookie linebacker with the ClevelandBrowns, poses with kids from the Boys and Girls club.point of purchase donation program forSCK. Not only did SCK benefit but Holcomb’shad record sales during the holiday season.Also part of the overall promotion includedsegments highlighting families in thecommunity served by SCK as well as a phonebank during the 5 PM news program. Thephone bank was graciously staffed by SCKboard members and First Merit employeesalong with volunteers from Holcomb’s.Donations totaled $4,270 from the phonebank to assist in our distribution program.After such a successful campaign last yearSCK, NewsChannel 5 and Holcomb’s areteaming up again for the December 2006holiday season!Kids. Stephanie and Patrick’s willingness to lead thefundraising charge is much appreciated. Thanks also toSid Good and Margie Flynn, for their tireless efforts inco-chairing the Communications Committee. Undertheir leadership, Shoes’ story is told and re-told in anumber of creative and ingenious ways throughout thecommunity.On a personal note, growing up in a small town inTexas, I was one of the kids that went to school in handme-downclothes and kind of scruffy shoes. Other kidsmade fun of me. I still remember how badly I felt. Thatmemory fuels my desire to make a difference for today’schildren. Self esteem, personal empowerment and prideare as elemental for children as learning their ABC’s.Your continued support for Shoes and Clothes for Kidshelps make that possible.Thank you!Rockette L. Richardson