(As published in VolunteerSpot, August 20, 2010)

With school just around the corner, we are featuring some inspirational stories and giving back ideas that help those less fortunate get ready for the new school year! 

Get Inspired By: “Share What You Wear”

It’s back-to-school time.  For many, this means the annual ritual of giving away clothes that don’t fit any more and getting some new things for the school year. While you and your kids are going through this process, take a minute to read about two pretty terrific girls:  Zoe Baris and Samantha Zabell from Orange Village, Ohio.  Both are only 18 years old and are cofounders of Share What You Wear (SWYW).  Four years ago, they began hosting a back-to-school, one-day shopping event each August for needy kids of all ages.  They gave away 2,000 items their first event and almost 5,000 last year.

With mentoring by and collaboration with the Cleveland Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the young ladies now accept donations all year; store clothes, shoes, accessories, and school supplies in their basement; and have drop-off sites at their homes and school.  Zoe and Samantha are headed to college but they plan to start SWYW sites near their universities and hope that kids of all ages are motivated to create their own local chapters.  Something valuable to think about as we pick out new outfits with our kids for the new school year. 

(If you are interested in making a financial donation to SWYW, click here and specify that your gift is for SWYW.  They use monetary contributions to buy new underwear and socks.)

Find or Start a Clothing Drive Near You

Here’s another way to teach your kids not just to think about getting themselves ready for school, but also how to help others do the same. Participate in Family Circle and GoodWill’s back-to-school clothing drive.  Joining this Donate Movement is easy:

• You and your kids clean out the closets and bring unwanted clothes to one of more than 3,500 Goodwill donation centers and stores nationwide from now until September 30.
• Set up your own Back-to-School Clothing Drive at your school, office, or anywhere friends and neighbors gather.

Click donate back-to-school clothing to learn more.

YesKidzCan!, 2010