Donate to Uniforms for Kids

"Our goal is to make sure that every child, in every parish, who doesn't have a uniform, receives one," says Gerry Malone, with St. Vincent De Paul, talking about the <b>Uniforms for Kids</b> program she leads. Utilizing thousands of hours of volunteer labor, and money and old uniforms donated by individuals and companies, the Uniforms for Kids program tries to provide two sets of uniforms to every needy child in the public schools. Volunteers repair old uniforms, after they are cleaned by Kean's Cleaners. Money is used primarily to buy new uniforms.<br />
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Throughout the year, teachers and guidance councilors are the main contacts for obtaining uniforms. During the summer, Uniforms for Kids has a phone system where individual parents sign up for appointments <i>and find out what proofs they need to bring for proving their income and child-rearing responsibilities.</i> That way, the process of verifying their need and supplying them with appropriate uniforms can go very smoothly.<br />
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Since its inception eight years ago, Uniforms for Kids has grown from providing uniforms for 2,000 needy children in one parish (Louisiana calls them "parishes" — the rest of the country calls these "counties") to over 11,000 children in 12 area parishes.<br />
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Of course St. Vincent de Paul can't do this by themselves, they need your help. With a donation of 10 dollars, you will provide a brand new uniform to a child in need. If you can't donate money, donate your child's old uniforms, they need those as well.<br />
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"When folks give $10 for uniforms, all those dollars go towards the purchase. There's no administration, there's no fund raising," said Michael Acaldo, with St. Vincent de Paul. <br />
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Please make a donation to Uniforms for Kids and help the needy get school uniforms. St. Vincent de Paul will accept donations by mail at the following address:<br />
<blockquote><br />
Uniforms for Kids<br />
c/o St. Vincent de Paul<br />
P.O. Box 127<br />
Baton Rouge, LA 70821 <br />
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