SOCKS & UNDIES FOR KIDS

Based on the success of last year’s “Socks For Kids” campaign, this Holiday season – Santa and his reindeer gang are requesting Caroline & Company (a Columbia-area staffing service) once again team with Rainbow House (a local emergency shelter for abused and neglected children of all ages) in an enormous “Socks & Undies for Kids” collection effort.

Generous mid-Missourians are invited to drop off, by December 22^nd, multiple pairs of tasteful, new underwear and/or pull-ups and diapers in any size, color or design appropriate for kids, age newborn to eighteen, at the C & C office, 311 S. Providence Road , Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It’s Santa’s goal to have a sleigh full of undies. Socks are also being accepted – but new undies is this year’s priority.

Individuals or businesses that can’t get by the C & C office during business hours are welcome to call 573-449-3109 to request free pick-ups of multiple “Socks & Undies For Kids” donations. In fact, C & C owner and executive director, Caroline J. Maher, suggests, “Why not place a suitcase or duffle bag in your office for employees, clients and friends to fill with new underwear, pull-ups, diapers and socks; and we’ll happily come get them? I know for a fact, when Rainbow children move on to more permanent placement, all the great things they have received go with them. So, even those duffle bags would come in handy.”

According to Rainbow’s shelter coordinator, Ashley Smethers, “Underwear and pull-ups are something we’re always scrambling for. Some of these kids have never had their own pair of underwear. It has always been hand-me-downs, stuff with holes, even their mom’s, or perhaps none. Our kids take pride in anything new we give them

In the past, Rainbow House has provided services to between 350 and 450 mid-Missouri children annually - around 40% of which stayed at Rainbow's emergency shelter. With their new larger Towne Drive facility recently opening, Smethers indicates the number of children being admitted for shelter will certainly increase. This means, next year 200 or more big and small bodies will need underwear; and of that group, the infant to 8-year-olds who have "dry-night" issues will also need diapers and pull-ups.

According to C & C general manager, Holly Schneider, “It’s not unreasonable for Rainbow House to anticipate going through 2,000 or more pairs of underwear next year. Plus, when you factor in the pull-ups and diapers, we’re looking at a huge number – probably several thousand pairs. It’s going to be tough – but not impossible! The people of mid-Missouri are wonderful. Last year, when we expressed a heart-felt need for “Socks For Kids”, they responded with 3,446 pairs. It was terrific!”

A North Poll elf, who requested to remain anonymous, indicated Santa is hoping Columbia will be absolutely “a glow” with generosity when the gang fly in the evening of December 22^nd to pick-up undies and socks for the Rainbow kids. It seems the extra lighting will come in handy. Apparently, Rudolph and his nose will be resting up for their big Christmas Eve run.