Washington Woods Elementary has been the destination for a massive clothing drive for 10 years, helping hundreds of families get clothing and coats to stay warm during the winter season.
Last week marked the event’s 11th year and Brian Sawa, Washington Woods elementary school counselor, said the community has helped hundreds of families again this year and drew a bigger crowd than past years.
“It was a pretty good day — probably as good as it’s been in the 11 years of the event,” Sawa said. “A pretty steady stream of people through 12:30/1:00. Usually, the crowd has died down by 11:30/12:00.”
According to Sawa, combining kids, teens and adults more than 275 people in need of clothing attended the clothing drive. The event also provided an opportunity for community members to donate money to the Amanda Strong Foundation, people at Washington Woods elementary collected $107.
Sawa said the community’s support for the clothing drive allowed the school to extend their help to another philanthropy.
“We had a lot of stuff, probably two-thirds of it left on Saturday,” Sawa said. “The rest of it was donated to Third Phase in Noblesville.”
Lots of groups joined together to help sort, fold and organize the clothing for the giveaway:
Washington Woods Before and After Care children
Washington Woods Student Council
Many Washington Woods classrooms
Sodexo Support Services
Westfield Chamber of Commerce
City of Westfield employees
Westfield Lions Club
Westfield High School Leo Club
CrossRoads at Westfield Church
Westfield Rotary Club
4-H Harey Hoppers Rabbit Club
Here are his reflections on the event:
Sawa said after 11 years of heading up the clothing drive he continues to be amazed at how the community comes together every year.
“The clothing drive and giveaway this year was — and really, has been in the past, too — an event everyone involved has benefitted,” Sawa said. “This event happens every year because we have a great community supporting the effort — it starts with families being willing to take the time to clean out their closets, followed by the many great volunteers willing unpack, sort and fold the thousands of donated items, and ending with a lot of thankful people who were able to take advantage of the community’s generosity.”