Week 38-Back to school, Day 4-New outfit

Everybody needs that one special outfit for the all important first day back to school.  In elementary school your mom was more concerned about your outfit than you were.  In middle school you had to be sure and have the right name brand sneakers and t-shirt with the best jeans.  In high school it was all about whatever would get the most attention from the upper class boys.  In college you realized that people only paid attention to what you wore to the parties, so you would rock your sweats to class.  Now that I’m teaching class my requirements for my first day outfit a little different, but I’m always thankful for new clothes.

Somebody's styling and profiling

Having a new outfit isn’t just cool, it helps kids sense of belonging if their clothes are in good shape and fit well.  Care to Learn is a non-profit in the Ozarks that takes immediate action against the hunger, healthy, and hygiene issues that children face.  If any of you have seen Winter’s Bone, you’ll have a good idea what these young people are put through.  It’s hard to learn when all you can think about it how embarrassed or hungry you are.  CTL provides a toothbrush, a coat, breakfast, or whatever unmet needs the kids are burdened with that day.  School isn’t just a place to learn for them.  It has become a refuge from the suffering they face at home.  Founded by Doug Pitt (yes that is Brad’s brother) in 200, over 69,000 emergent requests from students have been fulfilled over the past three years.  Dignity U Wear has been around since 2000, and they too work to positively impact the lives of children and their families by providing them with brand new clothes.  They work with other social service organizations to make sure these new clothes arrive at just the right time like the first day of school or before a big interview.  DUW also focuses on one very important piece of clothing that everyone needs and no one wants to discuss.  Underwear.  Sometimes the most biggest boost in dignity can come from the smallest articles of clothing.

Care to Learn Donation

Dignity U Wear Donation

So here’s to a new outfit!  You’re one of my favorite parts of starting each new school year.  Going to school in clean, comfortable, and well-fitting clothes makes it a lot easier to find the square root of 99, or discuss Beowulf.  Wanting you doesn’t make us shallow, it makes us want to present ourselves in a professional manner no matter what our age.  Thanks for putting a little pep in our step and helping us kick of the new school year right.