For nearly a century, we’ve asked a question: What are you giving thanks for at this time of year?
It is our hope that you have much to be grateful for – employment, family, friends, health or other noteworthy successes.
Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child collecting donations to provide children with new winter clothes
For some among us, that isn’t the case.
Some of our neighbors are wondering just how they’ll possibly be able to afford new, warm clothing and footwear for their children.
And some could see the holidays as a season of excess.
Don’t take that the wrong way.
It’s a time of love, sharing, forgiving and joy.
Many celebrate faith, hope, optimism and tradition.
But, it’s also a time of constant shopping, bustle and pressure: There’s no way around it.
Adding to that feeling so many of us get at this time, is that each year the season seems to get longer.
However, we’re not complaining about that part.
You see, we’ve already started our shopping.
No, we’re not out there buying Christmas gifts for our families and friends.
We’re heading out with some of our friends to carry out the mission of the Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child Fund.
First, we must pay homage to journalist and civic worker Rhea Soper Eddy, who started the program in 1924 while working at The Journal, which was the predecessor to the current Morning Journal.
This was the premise nearly a century ago when Clothe-A-Child was created: To raise money and use volunteers to shop with youngsters at local stores for coats, boots and warm clothes.
There are some parameters, though.
The family must provide proof that they are in need, and children must be between the ages of 4 and 12.
The youngsters also must be enrolled in school.
Children get $150 to purchase practical school clothing, including everything from outerwear to underclothes.
And what’s even more wonderful is retailers — Meijer and JC Penney — have items on sale and the youngsters can stretch that $150 a long way, in some cases, with deep discounts, they can get $200 worth of brand new clothes that they picked out.
What a blessing that is.
This year, we accepted applications from mid-September to late-October, but donations are accepted all year-round.
Since the program launched, we’ve had a few volunteer shoppers meet under-resourced children at the stores to buy the warm coats, clothes and boots.
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, we were forced to use fewer shoppers because even now, we continue to practice safety measures to avoid spreading the virus.
So, since 2021, parents have shopped with their children.
Last year’s campaign saw 240 children experience shopping trips before Christmas to Meijer in Lorain and Sandusky, and JC Penney in Avon.
In 2021, we gave 189 children shopping trips, which was down from 269 in 2020.
So far this year, we have shopped for over 100 youngsters, with a goal of 300.
We will continue shopping all the way up to a week before Christmas.
That feeling of excess we lamented above is easily canceled out by the smiles of the youngsters finding the perfect outfit or the right gloves.
To be able to keep shopping and reach our goal of serving as many children as possible, donations are needed.
It’s important to remember that at this time when spending seems almost expected, many in Northeast Ohio still are struggling to feed their families and keep them warm.
We can’t forget that some of our neighbors won’t have much to celebrate this holiday season.
That’s where Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child steps in.
Donations are accepted year-round by making checks payable to Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child, c/o The Morning Journal, 401 Broadway, Suite B, Lorain, OH 44052.
In past years, we’ve requested people who have fundraisers to benefit Clothe-A-Child to tell us about it.
We've resumed our fundraisers, including the Meijer Presents the Bradley Dash at Journal Jog, volunteering during the Rockin' on the River summer weekly concert series and the Lorain County Community Foundation's Connect to a Cause which gave us funds to start shopping.
Thanks to the generosity of our two major sponsors, Meijer and Northwest Bank, that shopping has continued.
Over the years, generous donors have entrusted their hard-earned dollars to the charity.
The donations are down this year compared to previous years, but the shopping continues because the need continues.
To continue the shopping and reach our goal of serving as many children as possible, we need your help.
We thank you for your continued support of this worthy cause.
And, we hope you’ll consider sharing your generosity again to assist children in need.
