Wayside Clothing Drive Kicks Off Monday

Wayside Elementary School is kicking off a clothing drive today that will help benefit the community and raise money for the school.

Anyone in the community can help give to the clothing collection fundraiser, which last from Monday until Friday at Wayside. The clothing will be donated to shelters locally and overseas, although the specific shelters are not known at this time, said Nancy Averill, the school counselor and head of the clothing drive.

"We try to build citizenship and character in the students and this is an easy way to have kids get the feeling of giving back," Averill said. "Clothing drives and food drives in the past have gone well because this is a very giving community."

This year, the school will receive 8 cents for every pound of clothing donated. Depending on how much money is raised, the money could go to help students pay for field trips, Averill added. 

The fundraiser is accepting belts, handbags, linens, stuffed animals and any other wearable and usable clothing for all ages. Also, there is a special need for running shoes, Averill said.

Although Wayside has never done a fundraiser like this one, Averill said she is expecting a good turnout from this fundraiser.

"When people have a week, they can really go through their things and find things they can donate," Averill said. 

The donations are placed in plastic bags and put in the school where students can see them -- a major motivator for students, Averill said.

"They can really see how the work they do pays off and see how they can help," Averill said.

To donate, drop off clothes in plastic bags by Friday at the school's front office.