By Stephen Smoot
Supported by partnerships with Pendleton Community Bank, The Pendleton Times, and a multitude of churches and social service entities, the Pendleton County Family Support Center will participate in the Warm the Children mission that has been going on in different parts of the country for almost 35 years.
Edna Mullenax, executive director of the Pendleton County Family Support Center, shared that ‘the need is large.” She bases that on amounts of what she calls “concrete support” for struggling households through this year so far, such as food, household items, personal hygiene products, and more.
“A lot of families were very appreciative,” Mullenax explained, going on to say, “It told me this was all very much needed.”
Warm the Children connects 27 non-profit organizations with similar missions – “providing new winter clothing and footwear for their community’s neediest children,” as its information piece describes. Eastern Action has worked with local organizations in Grant and Hampshire counties for many years.
“This will be the first time we do it in Pendleton County,” Mullenax stated.
Warm the Children takes monetary donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals, then takes those funds and purchases “new winter clothing and footwear for local children in need.” All donated funds go to the children with participating non-profits taking on any administrative costs.
Local service organizations or school personnel, including Communities In Schools staff, identify those in need. Children from birth to 18, with school aged children either attending or in home school, are eligible. Applications will be accepted from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.
Families or households identified as in need will have opportunities to shop in person or online from pre-approved retailers.
Warm the Children has brought coats and footwear to children for almost 35 years. Connecticut newspaper publisher Mack Stewart saw the power of allying local journalism with social service agencies. He raised $20,000 to serve nearly 250 children in the first year of the project. Now, the mission spends $800,000 per year to clothe more than 10,000 children in need.
Mullenax also shared that she would likely need some volunteers to assist with the mission in Pendleton County.
