The Portage Meijers Store, located at 6050 US Hyw 6, provided the Portage Exchange Club with a generous check to help with the Club's Needy Kids Christmas Shopping Program.
This program is the Portage Exchange Club's signature program, although the Club is active in the community in many ways supporting youth, veterans and Americanism. This is the Club's 30th year of reaching out to help families during Christmas.
While many organizations provide toys for children during the holidays, the Portage Exchange Club provides clothing. Going to school in ill-fitting or ragged clothing can make social interactions more difficult for children and make them targets of teasing or bullying.
With the help of the Portage Township Schools elementary Home-School Advisors, families are identified as being in need of assistance. Project Chairman Brad Clapp sends letters to the parents of those families, inviting them to come to the shopping event. The parents are told how much they may spend, based on the number of children in the family. They may purchase anything that the children may wear. From underwear to winter coats, from boots to party dresses, jeans, t-shirts, and hair bows, the parents select the clothing in the sizes and styles that will suit their children.
For some families, the clothing purchased through this project makes the difference between having presents under the tree or having nothing new for their kids. Since the parents come while the children are in school, the clothes are surprises that can be from mom and dad or Santa or whomever the parents want to credit.
The check from Meijer will greatly help in providing clothing for more children.
Meijer Retail Administrative Assistant (RAA) Lakisha Geredine said, "We are so happy to participate in this project. We like to help our community in any way possible."
The Portage Exchange Club's fundraising efforts throughout the year also go primarily to this project.
However, there are always more families in need of help than the Club can provide.
If you would like to make a contribution to this worthy cause, you may contact Brad Clapp (219) 299-2220, or you may send the donation directly to Portage Exchange Club, Box 255, Portage, IN 46368.