
| August 2011-N. Hills Clothe-A-Kid |
| Tuesday, 02 August 2011 16:44 |
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The first day back at school is an important day for any kid. Often, the thought running through their heads is, "What should I wear?" A new outfit can make the first day of school perfect, but not all students can afford new clothes. Countryside Community Church in Spearfish has been helping kids in need of clothes and school supplies for six years. Since then this project has helped hundreds of kids in the Northern Black Hills. Countryside Community Church Administrative Assistant Lori Johnston says, "There's such a huge need and it's tough for parents when they come to a point and they have to decide we have food, clothing, gas, school supplies. One of the most expensive things is all the school supplies, so just being able to give that little bit of extra help and you know we're not giving them a whole bunch of clothes, but we're getting them a brand new set of clothes and we're getting them the basic school supplies. It's just a huge help to their families. It's a bit of relief knowing, OK, that's freed up. We can do this." This year, with support from other churches and businesses, Countryside Community Church is helping nearly 300 kids. Each will receive a new shirt, jeans, socks, underwear, a hooded sweatshirt with their school logo and a backpack with the basic school supplies needed to start the year. Johnston says, "The first year I was strong-armed into it. After that, doing the ministry, we call it, is where we hand out the clothes and the backpacks and school supplies and watching those children's faces, realizing these are some of the only times they get brand new things. Brand new clothes, their own backpack, we give them a free book, it's a new book. It's probably the only time they ever owned a book. It's just something that tugs at your heart and you're hooked. You'll continue to do it." Registration took place in July and now they are in the shopping phase.Each child is assigned a shopper for their new clothes and supplies. Kids will receive their items August 20th the Saturday before school starts. Black Hills FOX salutes Northern Hills Clothe-a-Kid for being committed to kids. If anyone is interested in helping financially or giving their time to Northern Hills Clothe-a-Kid, contact Lori at 642-0585. Tessa Thomas |

