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Plano Profile Features Clothe-A-Child Local Volunteer John Hamilton

Frisco, TX (DFW Catholic) – The August edition of Plano Profile features an article on Clothe-A-Child and the group’s Director of Church Coordinators, Frisco resident John Hamilton.  John is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi.  DFW Catholic wishes to thank Plano Profile for allowing the article to be republished here.

August 2008 – Amy Sandling Crawford

Thanks to volunteers like John Hamilton clothing effort continues to grow

Volunteering is a very important part of John Hamilton’s life. In fact, a past volunteering opportunity allowed him to meet to his wife, Betty, and he even proposed to her at the facility where they volunteered together. Volunteering is something that’s deeply important to John, and he said he can’t imagine his life without it.

“Our lives have always involved volunteering,” he said. “I think it is important to give back to the community. After we got married and had our daughter, I began to get more involved specifically in charities that involved kids and improving their lives. The children are our future, and if we can positively impact their lives at an early age, we given them a better chance to succeed in life.”

Hamilton, a Frisco resident, now volunteers with a group called Clothe-A-Child. Clothe-A-Child partners with area churches, organizations, individuals and businesses in the community to provide new clothing to economically disadvantaged elementary and middle school children within Frisco ISD and Little Elm ISD. The program provides $100 of new clothing to each child in the program through a yearly event at Kohl’s Department Store. Volunteers are paired with families to assist with shopping.

Participants benefiting from the program are identified by school counselors of Frisco ISD and Little Elm ISD. They select children by interacting with families or through the free and reduced-cost lunch program.

Clothe-A-Child began in 1989 by Dr. Lawrence Kennedy of the North Church in Carrollton. The program was duplicated at McKinney Fellowship Bible Church in late 1999. In 2003, Clothe-A-Child began in Frisco where last year, 976 elementary and middle school children were selected for the program.

 Hamilton serves on the group’s leadership team as Director of Church Coordinators, supervising all of the churches that make up the Frisco/Little Elm chapter. Last year, 16 churches and more than 700 volunteers participated in the group’s annual event.

“This year, our goal is to clothe at least 1,200 kids in Frisco and Little Elm, and to have more than 800 volunteers participate,” Hamilton said. “We expect between 18 and 20 churches to be involved, as well as area businesses.”

None of the group’s operating expenses are paid from gifts given to Clothe-A-Child, said Executive Director John Taylor of Frisco. All group operating expenses are covered by the group’s partner churches.

“Last year, the program had grown so significantly, we went from one Saturday event to two Saturday events, because there were so many children to be clothed … and those children come with brothers, sisters, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that often also need our help,” Taylor said.

“This year, we are continuing to expand our reach into Little Elm, allowing us to provide even more help to the community.” This year’s events will take place on Saturday, October 11 and Saturday, October 18 at the Kohl’s in Frisco at Preston and Rolater roads.

“Kohl’s is incredible,” Taylor said. “They bring in a great deal of extra school clothing and winter coats. Kids are able to choose their own styles and colors of clothing. These families never get opportunities to go to a store like this, so this is a great experience for them, and Kohl’s often discounts their merchandise to give them great deals.”

“Volunteers arrive at 6 a.m. and are finished between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.,” Hamilton explained. “Many volunteers actually get back in line to help multiple families with their shopping needs, so they are there a little longer. Most volunteers help families shop, finding sizes and items of clothing needed for school. Volunteers also tally money spent so families do not go over the $100 voucher amount. Other volunteers assist in registration, refreshments or helping bag clothes at registers.”

This year’s event begins accepting volunteers August 10, with volunteer recruitment lasting through September. “We have many returning volunteers, but we also get hundreds of new volunteers each year,” Hamilton said. “It takes hundreds of people to pull off an event like this. It is unlike any event I have ever participated in. We can always use more volunteers. I don’t think you can ever have enough!”

 Hamilton, a member at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Frisco, began working with Clothe-A-Child as a volunteer shopper four years ago. “I met different families with interesting stories,” he said. “It touched my heart in a big way. The next year I decided to be my church’s coordinator. Finally, I took on the role of Church Coordinator for the whole event. Whether you have three hours to spend on a Saturday, or a few hours more, you will feel great knowing you made a difference in someone’s life!”

Taylor praised Hamilton for his dedication to the program. “John is the model for volunteerism in Clothe-A-Child,” Taylor said.

Hamilton and Taylor agree that current economic conditions mean more financial crisis for area families. “Due to the downturn of the economy, I would expect there to be a significant increase in the number of families in need,” Hamilton said. “We need your help. The need is great. People often think that this area is all affluent with no economically disadvantaged kids. There are thousands of kids that need this program in order to have new clothes.

“Think about how good you feel when you are wearing a new outfit. Kids feel the same way. It gives them confidence and a self-esteem boost,” he added.

Frisco resident Leigh Ann Crow volunteers with Clothe-A-Child through one of the group’s partner churches – Preston Trail Community Church. She said, “This is such a great opportunity to give back! We love on these families, showing them how much they are cared for in our community. We all have an absolute blast shopping with these families. The morning is filled with excitement and energy by the children, families and volunteers alike.”

Taylor said that the group is interested in expanding their reach through Plano and into North Dallas. “We are interested in finding churches who want to take a lead in those areas,” he said, and added, “It makes a huge impression on the volunteers, also, and will change their lives. Partnership is really what Clothe-A-Child is all about. Between churches, the community, and city leadership, we work together to give back to families in the community. It’s rewarding for everyone.”

Amy Sandling Crawford is a Plano freelance writer and regular contributor to Plano Profile.

To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.clotheachildfrisco.com or e-mail info@clotheachildfrisco.com.
Interested in donating to this program? You can help in several ways:
1. Through a church – many churches in the Frisco area participate in the Clothe-A-Child campaign. Give a gift to one of these churches with “Clothe A Child” in the memo, and it will be accumulated with other donations to be given to Clothe-A-Child Frisco in one check from each church.
2. Mail a check to Clothe-A-Child Frisco – 7548 Preston Rd., Ste. 141-169 – Frisco. TX 75034. Include your name and current address on your check in order to receive a tax receipt.
3. Donate via credit card through PayPal by visiting the Clothe-A-Child Web site, www.clotheachildfrisco.com.

Participating Churches
Frisco
Emerge City Church
Fellowship of Frisco Church
First Baptist Church
First United Methodist Church
Frisco Bible Church
Genesis Metro Church
Grace Avenue United Methodist
Church Hope Fellowship
Church King of Kings
Bible Fellowship Church
North Star Church
Preston Ridge Baptist Church
Preston Trail Community Church
Rejoice Lutheran Church
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
St. Phillips Episcopal Church
Stonebriar Community Church

Little Elm
Button Memorial United Methodist Church
Living Word Baptist Church
Point Church
Praise Fellowship Worship Center

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