The Lake Zurich School District 95 foundation collected select winterwear to benefit the organization’s community closet, asking for clean snow pants and snow boots donations through Nov. 11.
According to the SD95 website, Joanie’s Closet is a committee under the district’s Educational Foundation and aids the district’s under-resourced students and their families.
People may drop off their donations to the district’s administrative office, at 832 S. Rand Road, according to a SD95 newsletter announcing the drive.
District resident and Joanie’s Closet team member Ann Marie McConnell said that as of Nov. 4, roughly 80 snow pants and 80 pairs of snow boots had been donated.
McConnell said the end of the drive coincides with when the organization will distribute a collection of around 550 winter coats, along with the donated snow pants and snow boots.
“The coats are new, and then with any snow pants or boots that we’ve collected, families are welcome to choose from those as well if they have a need,” said McConnell.
McConnell noted the importance of children in the community having winter clothing, especially so they can participate in social activities like school recess.
SD95 has eight schools, including Lake Zurich High School, and enrolls more than 5,400 students. According to state data about the district, 14% of kids enrolled come from low-income households.
“Our general goal is to make the kids in our community successful and to make sure they have their basic needs met,” said McConnell. “This is just one of the many steps that we take in order for that to happen.”
SD95 spokeswoman Jean Malek said while distributions will be made after the end of the drive, gently used articles of winter clothing can be donated to Joanie’s Closet year-round.
Additionally, Joanie’s Closet also accepts donations of school supplies – including backpacks, calculators, pens, pencils and more – which are then distributed before the beginning of the school year.
Monetary donations to are also accepted.
Joseph Arnone is a freelancer.
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