The 18th Annual Share the Warmth Clothing Drive and Giveaway at the Mettawee Community School (MCS) offers something for everyone. For some, that means cleaning out closets and donating unwanted clothes to those who need them. For others, it's an opportunity to prepare their family for the winter months ahead.
“We started Share the Warmth at Mettawee in 2008,” says Pawlet resident Brooke Burnham, a former paraeducator at the school who now continues that work at Burr & Burton Academy. “My mother had passed away the previous year and the clothing drive was in honor of her commitment to public service. With the ongoing support of the school and local community, we’ve turned the drive into a long-lasting labor of love.”
This year’s program takes place in two steps, over three days:
Friday, October 10 - Clothes may be dropped off at the Mettawee Community School Gymnasium from 8 am to 4 pm. All size clothing will be accepted, along with outerwear, accessories, bedding, shoes and even Halloween costumes. This year, there is a special need for men’s and kid’s clothing of all sizes. All items must be clean, smoke free, and reusable.
Saturday/Sunday, October 11-12 - Doors at the Mettawee Community School will open from 9 am to 2 pm both days for the clothing giveaway. Please bring bags for taking the clothes and other items home.
Share the Warmth also provides Mettawee students with a lesson in public service. On Donation Day Friday, 6th graders and volunteers from other grades spend time in the gymnasium helping to organize and prepare the clothing items for distribution over the weekend giveaway.
“Each year our kids and staff look forward to the Share the Warmth tradition,” says MCS Principal Brooke DeBonis. “Helping others makes them feel like they are doing something good for their community. I know many local families look forward to coming to this event to get clothes for their children.”
For more information, reach out directly to Brooke Burnham by phone (802-342-6377) or email (lbbw1999ollieowen@yahoo.com). Share the Warmth traditionally attracts participants from the Mettawee towns of Rupert and Pawlet, as well as surrounding Vermont and New York communities.
(Photo above: Pawlet’s Brooke Burnham sorts and stores clothing at home to prepare for the 18th Annual Share the Warmth Clothing Drive and Giveaway at the Mettawee Community School.)
