Tuesday morning, Pastor Dana Coker and Church Lay Leader Kathleen Shannon from First United Methodist Church of Whitesboro (FUMC) delivered bags of new clothing to Whitesboro schools to benefit WISD students this winter season.
Before Christmas, members of the church knew they wanted to do something to give back to the community. However, several other groups were already hosting toy drives, gift funds and Angel Trees to adopt families in need.
The FUMC group wanted to do something different. They wanted to think past Christmas and focus on what members of the community might need in January. So the church hosted a Giving Tree to benefit local school children.
“We try to have a connection to the schools,” Shannon said.
Church members were encouraged to donate new clothing items (or money to purchase those items) for children from three years old through 12th grade.
“In the ‘90s, we started a clothes closet at the Whitesboro Elementary School,” FUMC Board President Cathy Weems said. “Back then it was grades kindergarten through fifth. If children came to school with wet feet or whatever, they could take something from the clothing closet. We wanted to do something like that for the students at all of the schools this year.”
So this week, Coker and Shannon delivered several large gift bags of new clothes to be distributed to each of the four Whitesboro school counselors.
Items included hoodies, joggers, dry socks and new underwear.
“We really put some thought into what kids would like to wear,” Weems said.
“Our congregation was very generous!” Shannon said.
Thanks to the efforts and donations of the FUMC and its congregation, children from Pre-K through 12th grade will have new, dry, warm clothes waiting for them this winter season should the need arise.
