The Kiwanis Club of Eldorado has joined the Charlie Company Family Support Group of the Altoona National Guard Armory to collect used clothing for children in Kosovo.
National Guard members are on a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. According to support group president Michelle Swartz, guard members are writing home asking for clothing for the children in Kosovo because their clothing is in very poor condition.
When members of the Kiwanis Club became aware of the support group’s efforts to collect clothing, they asked to help where possible.
Three local residents who are members of the Kiwanis Club of Eldorado: Sue O’Brien, Donna O’Brien and Pastor TM Talbot-Moses are actively involved with the clothing drive. In addition, several National Guard members from the Tyrone area are among the troops serving on the peacekeeping mission.
Kiwanis “Klothes for Kids in Kosovo” chairperson Sue O’Brien explained the emphasis of Kiwanis International is “Young Children – Priority One,” and this project “certainly fits into our area of interest.”
“The clothing our children no longer wear would make a real difference in the lives of children in Kosovo,” she said, “and we are responding to a request from area young men and women in the military who are serving in Kosovo.”
The groups are collecting gently worn clothing, especially winter clothing, in sizes ranging from newborn to 18 years-old.
Donations are being received locally at both Christ United Methodist Church, Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street; and First English Lutheran Church, Logan Avenue and 13th Street.
According to O’Brien, the response so far from area residents has been overwhelming. She said there are hundreds of pounds of clothing that have already been collected from both church drop-off points.
The last day to drop off clothes at either church is Monday, October 6. Someone will be available daily at Christ United Methodist Church from 8:30-11 a.m., and someone will be available daily at First English Lutheran Church from noon to 2 p.m. Interested individuals may drop off clothes during these designated times.
“Folks have been amazingly generous already,” O’Brien added.
In addition to having members collect clothing from family and friends, the Kiwanis Club is planning a “Stop and Drop” on Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kiwanis Clubhouse located at 6100 California Avenue.
“This is a great way to collect the clothing,” O’Brien explained. “Anyone who wants to donate items can just drive in front of our clubhouse and hand the items to a waiting Kiwanian or support group member. You don’t even have to get out of your vehicle.”
O’Brien added that the some of the guard members wrote that the weather in Kosovo is somewhat similar to the weather in Pennsylvania.
Therefore, any clothes that would be donated for the children of that area would surely help because of the similar climates.
Swartz explained that her organization is receiving monetary donations to help ship the clothing to Kosovo and that all donated items are to be “packed and ready to go by October 15.”
O’Brien said that persons who have clothing to donate and cannot get it to a group member or come by the “Stop and Drop” can make other arrangements by calling her at 684-2892.
