Newark Morning Rotary delivered clothes in December. Robin Broomall, right, is shown with school secretary Kimberly Williams.
Clothes for McVey Elementary
D
ecember typically means SHOPPING! Newark Morning Rotarians do that, too, but for someone they do not know.
For more than 20 years, McVey Elementary School nurse or counselor has given us a list of needy students (first name only) and the specific size, color, and requests of clothing items they needed. Parents had been consulted beforehand. The Rotarians then each take one child’s list and shop for their shirts, shoes, underwear, coat, jeans, pj’s, socks, or whatever was requested in the specific size and color. Sometime a roll of gift wrap is included. Just before the December Winter break, the clothes are delivered to the school in plain black bags and parents are notified to pick up items for their child. This past December the Rotarians shopped for nearly $1,000 worth of items. Bags of coats, underwear, jeans, shirts, sweaters, shoes, socks, and sometimes a special treat were dropped off just before the Winter Break for the counselor or nurse to deliver to the student’s parents or guardians.
Many of the children will find the items wrapped and under the tree on Christmas morning. “The smiles on the children’s faces when they are wearing new clothing items are wonderful to see,” the school nurse has said each year. “It is obvious they feel a sense of pride with their new attire.” In addition to the clothes, the Rotary club gave each family represented by the children receiving the clothes a $50 gift card to be used at Walmart for additional items, clothes, gifts, or food that the family might need. Six cards were given in December 2021. “We are always looking for grassroots projects that will make a difference,” Rotarian Robin Broomall said when delivering the bags and gift cards to the school. “Humanitarian relief is needed in many places around the globe. We cannot forget those closest to us and in our own neighborhood.”
NEWARK MORNING ROTARY'S 'REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY' • PAGE 63