SOCKS & UNDIES FOR KIDS MET AND EXCEEDED GOAL

Socks & Undies For Kids - the recent Holiday effort for the abused and neglected children and families in crisis served by Columbia's Rainbow House - met and exceeded its original goal of 6 to 7,000 items. During the 6-week campaign, spearheaded by area staffing service, Caroline & Company - 19,477 new pull-ups, diapers, underwear, socks and more (games, toothbrushes, new winter hats and gloves, baby wipes, etc.) were collected. When the final figures are in, donations may come close to 20,000 items.

It is projected the effort will provide enough undies and socks to meet, or nearly meet, the needs of 400 or more children served by Rainbow House’s Shelter, Family Crises Care and the Advocacy Center during the coming year. The dollar savings to Rainbow’s budget has been estimated at over twelve-thousand dollars.

According to Rainbow's shelter coordinator, Ashley Smethers, "This means, we'll be able to spend more of our limited funds on enrichment activities - rather than diapers. This effort has been so beneficial and wonderful!"

To put the campaign's result of 19,477 items into perspective, Consumer Reports found (in 1991) that the average child could use 6,000 diapers and pull-ups before being potty trained. Other consumer sources have estimated that number to be as high as 9,000 items per child. So, it is easy to see how Rainbow could easily deplete their Socks & Undies disposable donations in much less than a year.

When asked about surpassing their donation goal, Caroline owner & executive, Caroline J. Maher, said, “It’s a touching testament to the wonderful compassion and generosity Columbians and mid-Missourians have for children in need. We’re thrilled so many individuals, area businesses, schools, day cares, organizations and local media all stepped forward in such a giving way for Rainbow House and their kids."

The front-line impact of Socks & Undies For Kids was summed up by Rainbow's director of development, Ron Graves, who indicated, "By giving us items that are very rarely thought of, but greatly needed in our various child-focused efforts, the community and Caroline & Company have - for the second year - provided an extremely beneficial gift to Rainbow House."

Individuals who wish to learn other ways they can contribute to Rainbow and its programs are invited to visit: www.rainbowhousecolumbia.org/help.