The Education Project at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District is looking for donations of unopened packages of socks and underwear. The project serves children and students ages 0-21 in Washtenaw County, including more than 30 in the Chelsea School District, helping them to attend classes and finish their high school diplomas.
Coordinator Peri Stone-Palmquist said those two basics – underwear and socks – are often overlooked by people donating materials, but they’re extremely urgent for the kids. When she’s gone on emergency shopping trips with students using clothing vouchers, she’s often struck by that, she said.
“They make a beeline for the underwear department and always search for the best deals,” she said. “Your average kid might at least ask for a toy or video game or a more pricey piece of clothing, but not these kids. They know what it’s like to make difficult choices between food and shelter, food and clothing. It’s a really difficult life.”
Donations will be accepted at the Chelsea Hospital Main Entrance at 775 S. Main St. from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the Chelsea Hospital Business Office, 1515 Commerce Park Drive, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; and the Chelsea Hospital Professional Office Building, 14650 Old U.S. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
The Project is also looking for cash donations to continue distributing shoe vouchers to students, a project originally started by a grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Youth Council. For more information about donating or the Project, contact Stone-Palmquist at (734) 994-8100, x1518 or pstone@wash.k12.mi.us.
Tags: Chelsea, nonprofits, schools
