Klothes Kloset keeps busy

Time again to commend Church Women United and Klothes Kloset volunteers for another successful year. There were 21 individuals and families receiving 35 bags of clothing and household goods, while one young boy was happy to receive a cane.

Walkers, bath stools, toilet extenders and adult diapers were provided. Cookware and clothing were provided for one family. "Dress up clothing" for employment interviews were given to three young women.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Klothes Kloset are busy for quilters and seamstresses. Their efforts showed following results: 15 lap robes each to Lake View Care Center, Eureka Mountain Manor, Immanuel Lutheran Home, Heritage Place, Colonial Manor; 10 lap robes, Columbia Falls Lions Club for concert door prizes; Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, lap robe for fund raiser; North Valley Baptist Church, lap robes for rocking chair used by moms to rock babies at church.

Samaritan House was given 15 large homemade quilts with help from Our Savior's Lutheran Church and R.S.V.P. Ten baby blankets and four diaper bags were provided for Florence Crittenton Home, Helena. Blackfeet Hospital at Browning was remembered with children's clothing, lotions and soap.

Toys and knickknacks were sent to National Guard Armory. These were gifts for their annual Christmas at Our House observance. School supplies, books and puppets were given to Head Start. Foster Care received clothing and blankets for two families.

Sheets, old blankets and material for quilts, plus baby clothes for layettes were donated to Lutheran World Relief. Seventh Day Adventist Church received clothing. Methodist ladies were assisted with their prayer quilt project. Ten sacks of pop tabs were collected for Ronald McDonald House.

Six boxes of hardcover books were given to the Whitefish Library. American Legion received clothing racks for their Christmas Store. Whitefish Winter Carnival youth group borrowed hero costumes for the parade. Columbia Falls schools and Head Start received clothing to use in emergencies.

New socks donated to the Klothes Kloset were sent to schools. Costumes were given to Columbia Falls Theatre program. Uniforms are held for boys and girls who cannot afford them. Boy Scout and Girl Scout uniforms are on hand. Food left on the Klothes Kloset porch was given to Columbia Falls Food Pantry plus money from the donation jar.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.