Closet Angels plans BTS Bash
By Sam Waller
Closet Angels held a Teacher Appreciation Tuesday fundraiser Tuesday, July 26 in preparation for its Back to School Bash.
The Back to School Bash is scheduled for 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. next Monday, Aug. 1.
Heather Nitschke, Daivis Gallagher, and Brandi Lehew organized Tuesday’s event, arranging a rack of $1 items for local educators.
“This was a last-minute event to create some space for our Back to School Bash, Closet Angels director Lori Reames said. “It was a great way to honor teachers and make more room. We’re hoping to process as many student-clothing items as possible this week.”
Lehew said the day was a great way for the ministry to network with educators.
“We made a connection with the school nurse at Nancy Smith Elementary, talking about a closet of clothes for kids who have medical needs or accidents and need to change clothes at school,” Lehew said. “There are things Closet Angels can help provide.”
Reames said the event was open to all involved in education in Shackelford County and included a $100 cash prize drawing.
Reames said adults items were made available at a significant discount but children’s clothes are reserved for Monday’s Bash.
Money raised will go toward cash prizes, with seven drawings totalling $300 in addition to items such as Brookshire’s gift cards, gas cards, and Zappos gift cards.
Hot dog meals with chips, cookies, and water will be provided by First Financial Bank.
Reames credited Nitschke and Lehew with coming up with the idea of an order form.
“For those that can’t get here Monday, we’ll leave forms in Locker No. 1 out back that families can fill out and tell us what their kids need,” said Reames. “Then volunteers will try to fill that order and leave it in a locker with a combination lock.”
Lehew likened the project to a personal-shopping experience.
“It’s all anonymous, using phone numbers,” she said. “We’ll pull together a school week’s worth of clothing, based on the information given, then contact them to let them know it’s ready for pickup.”
Lehew said the goal is to reach more children.
