Socks & Undies For Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      November 19, 2005
  

SOCKS, UNDIES & JAMMIES FOR KIDS

For the third year, Santa and his army of elves have recruited Caroline & Company (a Columbia-area staffing service) to spearhead “Sock, Undies & Jammies for Kids” – a huge community effort on behalf of Rainbow House (a local emergency shelter and out-reach program for abused and neglected children of all ages).  Rainbow’s executive director, Jan Stock said, “Whereas most children take underwear, socks and pajamas for granted, Rainbow House kids are extremely grateful for even the simple things!”

Caring mid-Missourians are invited to share tasteful new pajamas, slippers, underwear, pull-ups and diapers in any size, color or design appropriate for kids (age newborn to eighteen) by the December 22^nd deadline.  The drop-off times and location are, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Caroline & Company office, 311 S. Providence Road .  It’s Santa’s goal to have a sleigh full of new jammies and undies.  Socks are also being accepted – but jammies and undies are this year’s priority.

Individuals or businesses with “Sock, Undies & Jammies for Kids” questions are being encouraged to contact Santa’s C & C helpers at 573-449-3109.  In fact, C & C manager, Holly Schneider made these helpful suggestions, “Add Rainbow House to your  Holiday shopping list; place a suitcase or duffle bag in your office for employees, clients and friends to fill with new pajamas, slippers, underwear, pull-ups, diapers and socks; invite your children and family to join in this worthy effort.”

Even though last year’s “Socks & Undies” Holiday campaign had a record response, it’s easy to see how Rainbow depleted their donations.  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.  C & C owner and executive director, Caroline J. Maher, said, “I know from having two young nieces visit, how many pajamas, diapers and pull-ups they can use in an average week.  I can’t even begin to imagine the quantities Rainbow House goes through in a year.” 

Rainbow provides services to between 350 and 450 mid-Missouri children annually – around 40 % of which stay at their emergency shelter.  According to Rainbow’s director of development, Ron Graves, “We get school and play clothes donated all the time; but what a child wears underneath, or to bed, people just don’t think about!  For a child that comes to us with nothing, these basic items can be so important.”