Back to School Clothes for Kids Clothes Oxford

CVC Members gave students in Oxford more than welcome back greeting for the new school year.

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Click the images to see how students and parents feel about Back to School

Its hard to tell whether the students or the CVC members had more fun as the annual Back to School Clothes for Kids Project rolled into Oxford for the first time ever and more than 80 children from Oxford received clothing and backpacks full of school supplies for the start of the new school year. with the gift of school readiness for the 2004 academic year. 

In a twist on tradition, all three elementary schools in Oxford; Great Oak, Quaker Farms and Oxford Center schools were brought together on August 26^th to celebrate the beginning of their school year. Traditionally only one school is chosen each year to receive assistance based on the highest number of students receiving free lunch.  This year's project was extended to all the elementary school age children in public schools in Oxford.

Generous corporate sponsors spent the summer eagerly preparing large packets of clothing and school supplies for their "adopted" children. In June, they were presented with some basic information about the children they would be sponsoring along with a list of items that would be needed. Each student gets two full outfits for school, a new pair of sneakers, a winter coat and a backpack full of school supplies. The employees use the information provided by the students to tailor the donated items to the interests of the children.

As an example Sharon DeDonato, Administrator of General Electric International, Inc. led a fun, teambuilding initiative among General Electric employees that resulted in 18 children being sponsored by the employees. GE volunteers broke into teams and each of the three components: in Shelton (GE International Inc., GE Supply and GE Consumer Finance) sponsored five children.  The teams fostered a team spirit and friendly competition amongst the respective components to see who could finish all their shopping first.  According to DeDonato, “GE is a big supporter of helping children as they will, one day, be our future leaders. Giving back to the communities in which we operate is one of GE’s core values, and every individual’s responsibility”.     

A new company from New York, BPA International in Shelton also sponsored a child.  Barbara Hildebrand believes that as a new company to the area, the CVC affords the opportunity for corporate involvement and the Back to School Clothes for Kids Program is a wonderful idea.  As a new member, Hildebrand believes that “This program provides BPA with the ability to help a child or family in need within the new community we have relocated to.”     

Maria Nicolia and Amy Merriman of The Hartford Corporation co-chaired this year's project and added a festive “Luau” themed party for the students. When the children arrived at the part to pick up their clothing, they were also given their own book from New Haven Reads Foundation and pen and pencils from the Bic Corporation. Thanks to Dave Grant Caterers and The Hartford, attendees were treated to Grant's award winning cookies and punch, popcorn, and ice cream from Rich's Farm in Oxford. 

In a very brief speaking program, Judith Palmer, Superintendent of Schools in Oxford, thanked the participating companies for making a real difference in the lives of students in Oxford as they start a new school year. She commented that she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the impact of the Corporate Volunteer Council. According to Joy DeMarchis, VAC Director, “The efforts of the CVC each year are amazing. The Oxford Public School system had not heard of the program before being chosen this year.  It has been a great learning experience for Oxford to learn about the caring Corporate Volunteer Council that we have within the Valley and their ability to make a difference in the lives of our children.”

Companies sponsoring children this year included:

Back to Volunteer Action Center                             Valley United Way