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Sandy Journal

Clothing closet available to students, families

Jan 20, 2017 01:04PM ● By Julie Slama

Students sort through items donated to the clothing closet. (Bryn Cook/Canyons School District)

By Julie Slama | [email protected]
 
During parent-teacher conferences at Jordan High School, students and their families in the community are invited to pick up donated clothes. These items have been donated by students and families in 10 Canyons School District schools.
 
“We’ve realize it’s a need that many of our students need and it’s a service that, at the same time, our students can provide one another,” said Bryn Cook, Canyons School District advancement via individual determination (AVID) coordinator.
 
The Clothing Closet will be available from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at Jordan High School, 95 E. Beetdigger Blvd. (9880 South), but Cook said families are welcome to come any time after that date to “shop.” The Clothing Closet is available to any student and family in the community, not just Jordan students, she added.
 
“Jordan offered to house the clothes as a central location. We will have clothes in usable condition of all sizes,” she said.
 
Donations began in January from students at Edgemont, Willow Canyon, Park Lane, Alta View, Bellview, Crescent and East Sandy elementaries as well as at Mt. Jordan and Eastmont middle schools and Jordan High.
 
“It’s amazing how much already has come in and how supportive our community is,” Cook said, adding that in the first week, about 25 garbage bags of clothing have been taken to Jordan High School.
 
The clothing donations have been for all seasons from jackets, boots and mittens to shorts and T-shirts. 
 
Before the Clothing Closet, AVID  students will help sort and fold the clothing into sizes.
 
Cook said there are about 400 AVID students at the two middle schools and Jordan High who take the class to prepare them for college and career readiness, learn leadership skills and perform community service.
 
“We go over all aspects of life so they are preparing for a more rigorous schedule in high school, post-secondary school, social life, careers and all aspects of life to be successful adults. Many of these students are given the support they need for academic success and at the same time, gain a positive group of friends to help them along the way.  This is a good opportunity for students to help serve one another and their community,” she said.
 
The Clothing Closet idea is credited to Eastmont Principal Stacy Kurzhals, who has held it previously and partnered with other schools. This is the first time, however, it has involved 10 schools, Cook said.
 
Cook said that both Mt. Jordan Principal Cindy Hansen and Jordan High Principal Tom Sherwood got involved in the program early and Sherwood offered to support it year-round to sustain families with clothing items.
 
“It’s been fantastic to see a need and ask for the support and witness it being answered,” Cook said.