Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Marysville charity keeps kids dressed to learn
By
Bill Sheets
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE -- Kids from families in need who could use some more clothes have a new place to go.
It's a modest place -- Kloz 4 Kidz is housed in a portable building behind the Marysville United Methodist Church.
The church has donated the space, but the operation is not part of the church or the Marysville School District.
It started with church member Alyce Matson, who retired from her job in Olympia four years ago and moved north to be near her family.
She was talking with a teacher recently about how some kids don't have enough clothes. Matson tried to get a clothing operation started then.
"I wanted to do something for the younger children in school," she said.
It took a while to get it off the ground. Then, another woman from church, Linda Huntley, approached Matson about the concept.
"People we talked to around church said they would support it, that it would be a good idea," Matson said.
Then, the portable became available when the church's Sunday school moved out.
Matson and Huntley visited other similar operations, such as Kids' Kloset in Arlington and St. Joseph's House in Marysville to see how they are run.
Kloz 4 Kidz opened on Aug. 18. Children whose families have a Marysville address are eligible. The clothing is free but appointments are required.
"We kind of wanted to give the families privacy," Matson aid.
The operation is run primarily by four volunteers with the help of about 12 trained volunteers, she said. Still, more are needed.
St. Joseph's House provides clothing and household items for adults as well as children, while Matson wanted to focus on kids, she said.
"We just wanted to work primarily with the children," Matson said. "They can learn a lot better if they're dressed sufficiently well."
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA
