The beginning of a new school year is also the start of scheduling for Junior Auxiliary of Columbus’ Clothing Project. As a kick-off to the project year, our chapter partnered with the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority to provide school uniforms and shoes to 60 local children through a clothing fair.

A clothing fair was held at the Resident Services Complex in Columbus where JA members welcomed children who were eager to start the new school year. Children were measured for clothing items while parents answered necessary questions to ensure proper fit. Once all children’s sizes were obtained, JA members began diligently working to bag uniform items, shoes and hygiene bags. Clothing bags were delivered to the housing authority to allow children to wear their new clothes on their first day of school.

“It’s such an honor to be a part of an organization that blesses so many children in our community with new clothes and shoes for school,” Welfare Chair Betsy Swedenburg said. “‘Clothing’ serves the children by giving them the confidence they need going into the new school year. It is such a humbling experience to see their faces light up when they receive their bag of clothes, and I feel that Clothing is a project that serves the whole family.”

Through the addition of the Best Foot Forward and Clothes to Go projects, our chapter is working to comprehensively meet the apparel needs of children in our community. Our chapter is proudly open for a new clothing season, and we’re thrilled to serve our local children through this project.

School Counselors are encouraged to refer families in need of clothing assistance to Welfare Chair Betsy Swedenburg by emailing [email protected].

For more information on our Clothing projects and Junior Auxiliary, visit www.jacolumbus.org/welfareclothing.