By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s Community Service Club (CSC) is always hard at work to make the town a better place, and that is certainly the case with one of their signature projects, Kids Dress for Success (KDFS), a back-to-school program for New Fairfield students, kindergarten through 5th grade, whose families meet income eligibility requirements. Since 1996, the CSC has worked each year to outfit a multitude of students. No small feat, volunteers are committed year-round preparing for what ultimately happens this week: a school social worker distributes items to participating students. This year, 44 students will receive a package complete with two full outfits, sneakers, a winter or lightweight jacket, undergarments, socks, backpack, pajamas, and a gift card for school supplies.

Maryann Welsh is one of the happy volunteers who works hard to keep the program going. She shared, “A lot of time and effort goes into this project. We are all dedicated to meet the students’ wants and needs and to make this very special for them.” She explained that the process starts in September with a debrief on what worked well and where they need calibrations for the following year. Fundraising is the next priority and outreach happens through direct mail, on social media, and at events over  several months; and they are grateful for both resident and community business support. With each child’s package averaging $210, K through 2nd grade and $220 for 3rd through 5th grades, the costs add up and every dollar is greatly appreciated (see donation information below). “We are always looking for new sponsors and additional ways to fundraise,” Welsh said, pointing out that more sponsors are always welcome.

Strategizing sessions begin in January and soon after that the chairperson of a KDFS committee meets with a Board of Education (BOE) member to discuss the coming year’s program. Students who are eligible for KDFS—those who are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program—are identified in March and letters are sent out by April with a return date of May. The materials explain the program in detail and include a letter from the BOE asking if they would like to participate, plus a form that the parent/guardian can complete including student sizes, likes, dislikes, and other information that helps CSC volunteers shop. With an average response rate of roughly 30%, and 170 letters sent, this year tallied as expected.

“In June, we have a shoppers meeting with all members of the club (it is a club requirement that everyone participate in  this project),” Welsh said. At the meeting, each member receives a box for all items and then shops over the summer. Armed with anonymous information, including gender and size, CSC volunteers are happy to shop, with JC Penney, Kohls, DSW, and Target being among the favorite stores they visit. If those stores don’t fit the bill, “we will go wherever we can get what the child asked for,” Welsh explained. All CSC members have at least one student they shop for, but some purchase items for more than one. With all items compiled, the shoppers return the box to an identified volunteer shopping coordinator who reviews all of the items and then delivers them to the school social worker.

“We love shopping for the students knowing they will start school with new clothes and a gift card for supplies,” Welsh said, going on to say, “knowing we are making the student and family rest easy to start the school year is why we do it!”

To help keep this remarkably worthy project moving forward at full steam, residents can become a volunteer member— there’s an open invitation for residents over 18 years of age to attend meetings, participate in events, and more. The community can also express support through donations: any interested parties can feel free to send a check to: CSC, PO Box 8260, New Fairfield, CT 06812 or simply make an online donation at cscofnewfairfield.org.