News Clips

Another library helping Clothing Our Kids (COK) dress kids for success. Lewes Library has dedicated a display case to promote the work of COK to ensure the Sussex County school kids in need are ready to learn. Standing in front of the display case she coordinated is COK Volunteer Eileen Wilkinson.

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 27 – THE STONEWATER CREEK LADIES CLUB SPONSORED A “PAJAMA PARTY” FOR SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 25 – EVERLASTING HOPE MINISTRIES SPONSORS A CLOTHING DRIVE FOR THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 15 – POVERTY RATE AMONG CHILDREN MORE THAN DOUBLED WHILE MEDIAN INCOME FELL 2.3 % IN THE U.S. LAST YEAR

August 2023:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – AUGUST 23 – TCC GIVES AND GIVES AND GIVES TO THE SUSSEX COUNTY KIDS IN NEED OF SCHOOL BACKPACKS

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE- AUGUST 5 – ST. EDMOND’S PARISH KEEPS ON GIVING TO THE SUSSEX COUNTY KIDS IN NEED OF SCHOOL CLOTHING

May 2023:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – MAY 15 – COK RECOGNIZES THE SUSSEX COUNTY EDUCATORS WHO ARE SO FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION FACES PROGRAM GRANT PROVIDED TO CLOTHING OUR KIDS

April 2023:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) – VOLUNTEERS COLLECT PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS FOR THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) – TCC GIVES AND GIVES AND GIVES TO THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED THRU MULTIPLE GRANTS

March 2023:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK BOARD CHANGES AND A NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP TEACHERS HELP OUR SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – TCC GIVES, J&J BAGELS AND COK PARTNER TO HELP TEACHERS HELP OUR KIDS AND WITH BAYSHORE COMMUNITY CHURCH TO KEEP COK VOLUNTEER CENTER SPARKLING

January 2023:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FRO BEACON PEDIATRICS

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) RECEIVES DONATION FROM FRIENDS IN THE WHITE CREEK AT BETHANY COMMUNITY

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK RECEIVES TCC GIVES GRANT

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) APPRECIATES CHICK-FIL-A IN REHOBOTH FOR THEIR COOKIE FUNDRAISER – ENJOY COOKIES GIVE WARMTH

2022 News Articles and Video Clips

December 2022:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) – SANTA LOVES THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED ENLISTING THE HELP OF THE ELVES AT VANDERWENDE ACRES

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – TWAS THE SEASON FOR GIVING AND COK IS BLESSED TO BE A RECIPIENT OF SO MUCH WONDERFUL GENEROSITY

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK ONCE AGAIN RECEIVES A CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION GRANT

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – DRAPER MEDIA BLESS OUR CHILDREN CAMPAIGN AWARDS COK WITH A $2,000 CONTRIBUTION

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – GREAT OUTDOOR COTTAGES DONATES $10,000 TO COK AT THEIR GRAND OPENING

BEACH BABIES CHILD CARE HOLDS A COAT DRIVE FOR SCHOOL KIDS SERVED BY COK

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK IS ONCE AGAIN THE BENEFICIARY OF A SCHELL FAMILY FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTION

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) WINS FIRST PLACE IN COMMUNITY FLOAT CATEGORY AT LEWES CHRISTMAS PARADE

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK ONCE AGAIN THANKS THE EMPLOYEES OF MOUNTAIRE FARMS FOR DONATING COATS TO SUSSEX COUNTY KIDS IN NEED

November 2022:

DELMARVA LIFE – WE SIT DOWN WITH THE CLOTHING OUR KIDS ORGANIZATION | WRDE COAST TV (11/09/2022)

COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING – THANK YOU FROM THE KIDS

COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING – SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING – SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OUR GOLFERS

October 2022:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING – A HUGE SUCCESS

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, BISHOP BURKE COUNCIL DONATES WARM COATS FOR THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE – ANNOUNCING MAJOR SPONSORS FOR THE COK 8TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING, MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, AT PENINSULA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

September 2022:

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – “UNDERWEAR FOR ALL” DONATES TO COK ON BEHALF OF THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – THE STONEWATER CREEK WOMEN’S CLUB HOSTS A “HOODIE DRIVE” FOR SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – COK IS BLESSED WITH THE GENEROSITY OF A CLOTHING DRIVE ORGANIZED BY THE SEABROOK COMMUNITY IN MILLSBORO

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – ST. MATTHEWS BY THE SEA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN FENWICK ISLAND HOSTS A CLOTHING DRIVE TO HELP KIDS SUCCEED IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

August 2022:

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – THANKS TO THE CONGREGATION AT BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LEWES

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – COK ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

SPECIAL REQUEST FROM COUNTRY WESTERN SUPERSTAR REBA McENTIRE

“Special request to all you kids returning to school in August or September: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn’t have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most “in” clothes — PLEASE step up. Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone’s life! PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS SHOULD RE-POST THIS.”

July 2022:

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – ST. EDMOND DONATES $6000 TO CLOTHE THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL KIDS IN NEED

THANK YOU TO COK SCHOOL CONTACTS FROM CATHY SHOWELL, COK SCHOOL LIASON

Congratulations on making it through another school year! The volunteers at Clothing Our Kids just want to thank you for all you do for your kids and for allowing us to help you help them. We love what we do and wouldn’t be able to do it without you. The COK Volunteer Center closes for the summer while your kids are out of school, but if you ever have an emergency situation where clothing is needed please contact me and we’ll try our best to help out. Have a wonderful summer vacation and we will look forward to working with you again in the 2022-2023 school year!

June 2022:

GOLFERS, SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR SUSSEX COUNTY CHARITY FUNDRAISER | LAUREL MORNING STAR (06/16/22)

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – TO THANK THE SCHOOL NURSES, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, and ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, COK VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED HERSHEY BARS

May 2022:/

PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE – THANK YOU FROM OUR FOUNDER MARY RIO TO THE 150 VOLUNTEERS

COK 2022 BIG FISH THANK YOU PRESS RELEASE – BIG FISH FOUNDATION DONATES CLOTHING AND FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SUSSEX COUNTY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NEED

COMMUNITY BANK RECOGNITION OF BIG FISH DONATION

April 2022:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS EXPANDING TO REACH MORE STUDENTS IN NEED | CAPE GAZETTE (04/02/22)

March 2022:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS CONTINUES TO DRESS STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS | DELAWARE STATE NEWS (03/30/22)

COK 10th ANNIVERSARY PRESS RELEASE – EXPANDING INTO ALL HEAD START AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY’S GALLO REALTY DONATES $2000 TO COK

Clothing Our Kids (COK) is blessed to be the recipient of a $2000 donation from the Gallo Gives Foundation on behalf of Berkshire Hathaway’s Gallo Realty in Rehoboth. Representing Gallo Realty in the photo below are from left to right: Vice President Andrew Ratner, Agents Joan Wallace and Jamie Riddle, and Brand Ambassador Lori Jones. Accepting the check for COK is Volunteer Vice President Mike Wezel. The lives of Sussex County school children in need will be greatly enhanced by the kindness and generosity of our neighborhood Gallo Gives Foundation.

February 2022:

SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL AWARDS CLOTHING OUR KIDS WITH $5000 GRANT

Through the generosity of the Sussex County Council in Georgetown 1000 Sussex County school children in need will be provided one brand new outfit to help with their learning. On behalf of our KIDS, COK is grateful to be considered each year as the recipient of the Council’s grants. With the school year in full swing and an exceptionally cold winter upon us, the need for warm appropriate clothing is essential for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Clothing Our Kids depends on community partners such as the Sussex County Council to fulfill its mission to improve the lives of at-risk school children by providing them with new school clothing.

January 2022:

BOB BLOUIN, COK PRESIDENT, 2021 RECAP AND THANK YOU LETTER TO ALL VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS: 2021 YEAR END WRAP-UP AND THANK YOU MESSAGE.

GRANT from the ROTARY CLUB Of LEWES-REHOBOTH BEACH:

CLOTHING OUR KIDS IS BLESSED TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF LEWES-REHOBOTH BEACH – President Bill Huntley advised that COK was identified as an organization whose values and mission are consistent with the goals and values of their Club. In the fall and spring of each year, the Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach singles out organizations to receive a grant raised from two major fundraisers, Flags for Heroes and their Trail Guide publication. The list is long, and COK is grateful to have been selected as the recipient of a $2000 grant. The ceremonial check was presented on February 28 at Big Oyster in Lewes. Pictured from left to right are Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary President Bill Huntley, COK Volunteer Vice President Mike Wezel, Rotarian and great friend of COK George Jarvis. Grants such as this truly make a difference in the lives of the Sussex County school children in need. On behalf of our KIDS, we appreciate the generosity of the members of the Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach.

2021 News Articles and Video Clips

October 2021:

We Learn How the “Clothing Our Kids” Organization Is Working To Improve the Lives of Children in Sussex County | WRDE Coast TV (10/26/21)

September 2021:

Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament: Thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers that made the 2021 Golf Fundraiser a success!

Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament | WRDE Coast TV (09/27/21)

BIDS for the KIDS 2021 | Cape Gazette ad (09/17/21)

Clothing Our Kids online auction to open Sept. 16 | Cape Gazette (09/08/21)

August 2021:

Clothing Our Kids benefit auction kicks off Sept. 16 | Cape Gazette (08/24/21)

Thank You to Deb Putt, Grant Committee Chairperson: COK President Bob Blouin presented Deb Putt, former Grant Committee Chairperson, with a plaque recognizing her effort in creating and leading the Committee with great success. Bob and the entire Board Of Directors thank Deb for her hard work on behalf of the kids.

The plaque stated: With Gratitude from the Kids of Sussex County, Deb Putt, Grant Committee Founder and Manager

June 2021:

Delaware City Refining Company (DCRC) . COK is grateful to be selected as a beneficiary of DCRC Fundraiser. COK President Kate Gibson accepted the check from Michael Capone, General Manager. Also pictured is Lisa Lindsey, Public Affairs and Community Relations, who searched online and selected COK as a recipient. THANK YOU!! We truly appreciate your generosity.

April 2021:

lothing Our Kids announces date for the 2021 Charily Golf Outing – Ocean Atlantic/Schell Brothers as tournament trustees. 2021 COK Golf Tournament – Press Release (04/18/21)

Clothing Our Kids (COK) chosen as the first charity for “Thankful Thursday”. COK is pleased to have been chosen as the first charity on the summer calendar for “Thankful Thursday” by Revelation Craft Brewing Company at the airport at Hudson Field Beer Garden in historic Milton. Thankful Thursday – Press Release (04/18/21)

Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament set for September 27, 2021 | Cape Gazette (04/17/21)

January 2021:

Clothing Our Kids ensures Sussex students have the basics | Bay to Bay News (01/27/21)

WMDT’s the Brightside featured Board Member Kathleen Schell and President Kate Gibson speaking from COK Volunteer Center | 47 ABC (01/26/21)

Clothing Our Kids thanks Schell Family Foundation and all donors | Cape Gazette (01/15/21)

Schell Family Foundation donates to Clothing Our Kids | Coastal Point (01/11/21)

A Special Thank You from Kate Gibson, COK President | Facebook (01/07/21)

2020 News Articles and Video Clips

December 2020:

Clothing Our Kids raises $8K to support at-risk schoolchildren | Cape Gazette (12/25/20)

Kate Gibson, COK President, Year End Wrap-Up and Thank You message to all volunteers and donors: Clothing Our Kids thanks the community | Cape Gazette

November 2020:

The Peninsula Golf and Country Club Turkey Trot to Benefit Clothing Our Kids. On Nov 28th, over 50 people participated in the annual Turkey Trot at The Peninsula. COK was designated the beneficiary and participants donated over 150 articles of clothing for Sussex County school kids in need. Thanks to Troon in general and the Staff of the Athletic Club in particular for hosting this fun and necessary event.

2020 Peninsula Turkey Trot – Press Release

Thank You to Glenn Schuster.

COK Vice President Bob Blouin recognized Glenn Schuster with a plaque thanking him for his service to COK as Director of Community Outreach. In making the presentation Bob acknowledged Glenn’s early involvement and passion in spreading COK’s Mission to business organizations, community associations, houses of worship and others throughout Sussex County. He was one of just a few volunteers at the start of COK and provided later volunteers with a roadmap to follow in promoting the organization’s work for the kids. Thanks Glenn!

Giving Thanks for Charity through Golf. Excerpt from Cape Gazette article by Fritz Schranck dated November 28, 2020:

“Clothing Our Kids is one of most successful grassroots charities to be created in the Cape Region. The organization provides clothing and footwear to needy elementary-age children throughout Sussex County. The primary source of funds has been a fall golf tournament at Peninsula, where many of the charity’s supporters live. The tournaments’ successes inspired a second fundraiser in the spring, an auction party.

The pandemic response forced the postponement of both the golf tournament and the spring auction in 2020, along with a significant cutback in the charity’s day-to-day operations.

Undaunted, COK chose a new option to deal with the situation. On Sept. 27, the Kruisin’ For Kids parade of highly decorated cars, often convertibles, rode through the Peninsula’s neighborhoods. Butterfly nets hanging from the cars collected donations from residents, and a safely spaced tailgate party to judge the car entries finished the day. It raised $8,000 – not a huge amount compared to the five-figure sums raised normally, but it will spend, and the county’s needy children will benefit.”

Cape Gazette Article

October 2020:

Kruisin for Kids (KFK), a parade of creatively decorated cars through the Peninsula, raised more than $8000 for the kids of Sussex county. THANK YOU to all participants and contributors!

Kruisin for Kids – Press Release

Cape Gazette Article

August 2020:

Clothing Our Kids (COK) Recognizes Two Outstanding Board Members and Announces New Members. This month’s COK Board Meeting recognized two outstanding Volunteer Board Members as they step down after each served an eight-year tenure. Also, four new members were welcomed to the board.

2020 Clothing Our Kids Board Members Changes – Press Release

March 2020:

An Enchanted Evening Under the Stars to Benefit Clothing Our Kids. The second annual Kickin’ it up for Kids Fundraiser will be held on April 16, 2020, at the Peninsula Golf & Country Club. (Postponed)

2020 Auction Party Fundraiser – Press Release

January 2020:

Janney Donates to Clothing Our Kids. Janney’s financial advisors and staff in its Lewes office collected needed apparel items to support Clothing Our Kids this holiday season. THANK YOU! We appreciate your generous donation!

Cape Gazette Article

2019 News Articles and Video Clips

September 2019:

Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary. THANK YOU to the Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary for their generous donation of $2000 to Clothing Our Kids!! We truly appreciate it.

August 2019:

Custom SurfBoard Auction to Benefit COK. Bids accepted through August 15, 2019. A collaborative group of artists, designers, and craftsmen has teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind surfboard which will be auctioned as a fundraiser for Clothing Our Kids.

Custom Surfboard Auction Details

July 2019:

Through their “Bidding for a Cause Silent Auction” program, the employees of ALOFT AeroArchitects at Delaware Coastal Airport donated $620 to Clothing Our Kids. Pictured are the CEO of AeroArchitects Bob Sundin and COK Board Member Bob Blouin. On behalf of the Sussex County KIDS in need: THANK YOU! We appreciate your generous donation!

April 2019:

Many thanks to Dogfish Head “Tasting Room and Tours Tip Program” which donated $5,952.92 on April 16th to COK! We so appreciate your generous donation!

Dogfish Head Donation to COK – Press Release

Auction Party held at Peninsula Golf and Country Club raised more than $54,000 for COK. THANK YOU to all donors, volunteers, and participants for making this such a successful event!

Auction Party Fundraiser – Press Release