MARYSVILLE — “Kloz 4 Kidz” opened in the portable building behind the Marysville United Methodist Church on Aug. 18, 2008, and on Aug. 28 of this year the non-profit organization will be commemorating its two-year anniversary with a garage sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at 5600 64th St. NE.
Alyce Matson and Linda Huntley started the all-volunteer group to shore up the self-esteem of area children by keeping them clothed in presentable attire. Since then, the number of kids they’ve served has grown from 83 kids in 2008 to 462 kids in 2009, and as of Aug. 19, Kloz 4 Kidz has served 807 kids in 2010.
“With the economy the way it is, we’re serving a lot of people who hadn’t needed help before,” said volunteer Vickie Thurston. “We’ve received a lot of support from the community. Rotary gave us a $2,000 grant for shoes, and our local Bank of America branch has hosted a drop-off box for us year-round. We’re very grateful to Soroptimist and Kiwanis as well, and we’re building a relationship with the Tulalip Tribes.”
While St. Joseph’s House serves as a clothing bank for whole families, Kloz 4 Kidz specifically targets the clothing needs of children in the Marysville area. The group is always looking for new underwear and socks, as well as other gently used clothing items, as long as they’re clean and in good repair. It’s also in need of volunteers to help with laundering, ironing and sorting clothes, assisting shoppers, conducting inventories, and clerical and administrative duties.
“We’re still interested in new clients,” Thurston said. “The schools refer the families of children in need to us, and we have informational fliers at the Marysville Community Food Bank. Some parents have been so appreciative that they’ve asked us how they can give back. It’s amazing to be part of a process that impacts so many lives.”
To qualify to receive free clothes, children simply need to live in the Marysville area and attend any grade from preschool through high school. Kloz 4 Kidz” is open Mondays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4:30-7 p.m. by appointment only. For more information, call 360-659-8521.
