LAKEWOOD – If you are already tired of winter you can do your spring cleaning now for a good cause.
Lakewood High School is teaming with Clothes for a Cause to raise money to help with medical expenses for Todd Duitsman and to help pay for a sober graduation party for Cougar graduates of 2015.
If you want to help, take your unwanted clothes to Lakewood High between 4 and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The school is located at 17023 11th Ave. NW in Arlington. Along with clothes, people can donate shoes, hats, gloves, towels, sheets, blankets, quilts, draperies, purses, belts, rugs and stuffed animals. The items can be in any condition.
The items are weighed, and Clothes for a Cause pays by the pound money for Duitsman, a local man who was paralyzed in a body surfing accident last summer, and the Class of 2015.
Clothes for a Cause says their fund-raising efforts have a positive impact on the environment. Instead of decaying in landfills, donated items are re-worn, reused or recycled around the world.
Joyce Showalter of Clothes for a Cause said recycled clothes go to local thrift shops. Those that are beyond repair are broken down to their fabric. Anything wet or moldy is thrown away, but 98 percent of donations are recycled, she said.
She said a similar effort took place for Duitsman July 26 and $1,300 was raised.
Diana Stanton, who has twin boys in the Class of 2015, is helping Lakewood High with the fund-raiser. She wants to see the class have a fun all-night graduation party.
“It keeps the kids off the party scene,” she said.
Stanton said she heard about Clothes for a Cause from the previous effort for Duitsman.
“Clean out your closets, and instead of taking it to the Goodwill help us fill the trailer,” Stanton said. “The more weight the more money we make.”
Stanton said the sober graduation party is a tradition at Lakewood High. Last year, the graduating seniors went to the Lynnwood Recreation Center, where they could swim and play sports. The location is a secret every year. About 188 seniors are expected to graduate this year on June 5.
Another fund-raising effort for the Class of 2015 also will take place this weekend. Saturday, Jan. 17, a Poker Party will take place for adults. Stanton said it was set up for that night because of the traditional “Cat Fight” basketball game against rival Granite Falls.
