2023 News Articles and Video Clips
December 2023:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) - DECEMBER 1 - COK IS SERVING ALL SEVEN SUSSEX COUNTY HEAD START PROGRAMS
November 2023:
9TH ANNUAL CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) GOLF TOURNAMENT THANK YOU SPONSORS - AD IN CAPE GAZETTE 11/17/23
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) - NOVEMBER 6 - COK WINS BIG IN AMERICAN MAH JONGG
October 2023:
LEWES LIBRARY SUPPORTS CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK)
Another library helping Clothing Our Kids (COK) dress kids for success. Lewes Library has dedicated a display case to promote the work of COK to ensure the Sussex County school kids in need are ready to learn. Standing in front of the display case she coordinated is COK Volunteer Eileen Wilkinson.
August 2023:
May 2023:
April 2023:
March 2023:
January 2023:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FRO BEACON PEDIATRICS
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) RECEIVES DONATION FROM FRIENDS IN THE WHITE CREEK AT BETHANY COMMUNITY
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE - COK RECEIVES TCC GIVES GRANT
2022 News Articles and Video Clips
December 2022:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE - COK ONCE AGAIN RECEIVES A CARL M. FREEMAN FOUNDATION GRANT
BEACH BABIES CHILD CARE HOLDS A COAT DRIVE FOR SCHOOL KIDS SERVED BY COK
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) WINS FIRST PLACE IN COMMUNITY FLOAT CATEGORY AT LEWES CHRISTMAS PARADE
November 2022:
DELMARVA LIFE - WE SIT DOWN WITH THE CLOTHING OUR KIDS ORGANIZATION | WRDE COAST TV (11/09/2022)
COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING - THANK YOU FROM THE KIDS
COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING - SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING - SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OUR GOLFERS
October 2022:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS (COK) PRESS RELEASE - COK 2022 8TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING - A HUGE SUCCESS
September 2022:
August 2022:
PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE - THANKS TO THE CONGREGATION AT BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LEWES
PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE - COK ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM COUNTRY WESTERN SUPERSTAR REBA McENTIRE
“Special request to all you kids returning to school in August or September: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn’t have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most “in” clothes --- PLEASE step up. Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone’s life! PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS SHOULD RE-POST THIS.”
July 2022:
THANK YOU TO COK SCHOOL CONTACTS FROM CATHY SHOWELL, COK SCHOOL LIASON
Congratulations on making it through another school year! The volunteers at Clothing Our Kids just want to thank you for all you do for your kids and for allowing us to help you help them. We love what we do and wouldn't be able to do it without you. The COK Volunteer Center closes for the summer while your kids are out of school, but if you ever have an emergency situation where clothing is needed please contact me and we'll try our best to help out. Have a wonderful summer vacation and we will look forward to working with you again in the 2022-2023 school year!
June 2022:
GOLFERS, SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR SUSSEX COUNTY CHARITY FUNDRAISER | LAUREL MORNING STAR (06/16/22)
May 2022:
PERFECT 10 COK PRESS RELEASE - THANK YOU FROM OUR FOUNDER MARY RIO TO THE 150 VOLUNTEERS
COMMUNITY BANK RECOGNITION OF BIG FISH DONATION
April 2022:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS EXPANDING TO REACH MORE STUDENTS IN NEED | CAPE GAZETTE (04/02/22)
March 2022:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS CONTINUES TO DRESS STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS | DELAWARE STATE NEWS (03/30/22)
COK 10th ANNIVERSARY PRESS RELEASE - EXPANDING INTO ALL HEAD START AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY'S GALLO REALTY DONATES $2000 TO COK
Clothing Our Kids (COK) is blessed to be the recipient of a $2000 donation from the Gallo Gives Foundation on behalf of Berkshire Hathaway’s Gallo Realty in Rehoboth. Representing Gallo Realty in the photo below are from left to right: Vice President Andrew Ratner, Agents Joan Wallace and Jamie Riddle, and Brand Ambassador Lori Jones. Accepting the check for COK is Volunteer Vice President Mike Wezel. The lives of Sussex County school children in need will be greatly enhanced by the kindness and generosity of our neighborhood Gallo Gives Foundation.
February 2022:
SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL AWARDS CLOTHING OUR KIDS WITH $5000 GRANT
Through the generosity of the Sussex County Council in Georgetown 1000 Sussex County school children in need will be provided one brand new outfit to help with their learning. On behalf of our KIDS, COK is grateful to be considered each year as the recipient of the Council’s grants. With the school year in full swing and an exceptionally cold winter upon us, the need for warm appropriate clothing is essential for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Clothing Our Kids depends on community partners such as the Sussex County Council to fulfill its mission to improve the lives of at-risk school children by providing them with new school clothing.
January 2022:
BOB BLOUIN, COK PRESIDENT, 2021 RECAP AND THANK YOU LETTER TO ALL VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS: 2021 YEAR END WRAP-UP AND THANK YOU MESSAGE.
GRANT from the ROTARY CLUB Of LEWES-REHOBOTH BEACH:
CLOTHING OUR KIDS IS BLESSED TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF LEWES-REHOBOTH BEACH – President Bill Huntley advised that COK was identified as an organization whose values and mission are consistent with the goals and values of their Club. In the fall and spring of each year, the Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach singles out organizations to receive a grant raised from two major fundraisers, Flags for Heroes and their Trail Guide publication. The list is long, and COK is grateful to have been selected as the recipient of a $2000 grant. The ceremonial check was presented on February 28 at Big Oyster in Lewes. Pictured from left to right are Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary President Bill Huntley, COK Volunteer Vice President Mike Wezel, Rotarian and great friend of COK George Jarvis. Grants such as this truly make a difference in the lives of the Sussex County school children in need. On behalf of our KIDS, we appreciate the generosity of the members of the Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach.
2021 News Articles and Video Clips
October 2021:
September 2021:
Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament: Thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers that made the 2021 Golf Fundraiser a success!
Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament | WRDE Coast TV (09/27/21)
BIDS for the KIDS 2021 | Cape Gazette ad (09/17/21)
Clothing Our Kids online auction to open Sept. 16 | Cape Gazette (09/08/21)
August 2021:
Clothing Our Kids benefit auction kicks off Sept. 16 | Cape Gazette (08/24/21)
Thank You to Deb Putt, Grant Committee Chairperson: COK President Bob Blouin presented Deb Putt, former Grant Committee Chairperson, with a plaque recognizing her effort in creating and leading the Committee with great success. Bob and the entire Board Of Directors thank Deb for her hard work on behalf of the kids.
The plaque stated: With Gratitude from the Kids of Sussex County, Deb Putt, Grant Committee Founder and Manager
June 2021:
Delaware City Refining Company (DCRC) . COK is grateful to be selected as a beneficiary of DCRC Fundraiser. COK President Kate Gibson accepted the check from Michael Capone, General Manager. Also pictured is Lisa Lindsey, Public Affairs and Community Relations, who searched online and selected COK as a recipient. THANK YOU!! We truly appreciate your generosity.
April 2021:
lothing Our Kids announces date for the 2021 Charily Golf Outing – Ocean Atlantic/Schell Brothers as tournament trustees. 2021 COK Golf Tournament - Press Release (04/18/21)
Clothing Our Kids (COK) chosen as the first charity for "Thankful Thursday". COK is pleased to have been chosen as the first charity on the summer calendar for "Thankful Thursday" by Revelation Craft Brewing Company at the airport at Hudson Field Beer Garden in historic Milton. Thankful Thursday - Press Release (04/18/21)
Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament set for September 27, 2021 | Cape Gazette (04/17/21)
January 2021:
Clothing Our Kids ensures Sussex students have the basics | Bay to Bay News (01/27/21)
Clothing Our Kids thanks Schell Family Foundation and all donors | Cape Gazette (01/15/21)
Schell Family Foundation donates to Clothing Our Kids | Coastal Point (01/11/21)
A Special Thank You from Kate Gibson, COK President | Facebook (01/07/21)
2020 News Articles and Video Clips
December 2020:
Clothing Our Kids raises $8K to support at-risk schoolchildren | Cape Gazette (12/25/20)
Kate Gibson, COK President, Year End Wrap-Up and Thank You message to all volunteers and donors: Clothing Our Kids thanks the community | Cape Gazette
November 2020:
The Peninsula Golf and Country Club Turkey Trot to Benefit Clothing Our Kids. On Nov 28th, over 50 people participated in the annual Turkey Trot at The Peninsula. COK was designated the beneficiary and participants donated over 150 articles of clothing for Sussex County school kids in need. Thanks to Troon in general and the Staff of the Athletic Club in particular for hosting this fun and necessary event.
2020 Peninsula Turkey Trot - Press Release
Thank You to Glenn Schuster.
COK Vice President Bob Blouin recognized Glenn Schuster with a plaque thanking him for his service to COK as Director of Community Outreach. In making the presentation Bob acknowledged Glenn’s early involvement and passion in spreading COK’s Mission to business organizations, community associations, houses of worship and others throughout Sussex County. He was one of just a few volunteers at the start of COK and provided later volunteers with a roadmap to follow in promoting the organization’s work for the kids. Thanks Glenn!
Giving Thanks for Charity through Golf. Excerpt from Cape Gazette article by Fritz Schranck dated November 28, 2020:
"Clothing Our Kids is one of most successful grassroots charities to be created in the Cape Region. The organization provides clothing and footwear to needy elementary-age children throughout Sussex County. The primary source of funds has been a fall golf tournament at Peninsula, where many of the charity’s supporters live. The tournaments’ successes inspired a second fundraiser in the spring, an auction party.
The pandemic response forced the postponement of both the golf tournament and the spring auction in 2020, along with a significant cutback in the charity’s day-to-day operations.
Undaunted, COK chose a new option to deal with the situation. On Sept. 27, the Kruisin’ For Kids parade of highly decorated cars, often convertibles, rode through the Peninsula’s neighborhoods. Butterfly nets hanging from the cars collected donations from residents, and a safely spaced tailgate party to judge the car entries finished the day. It raised $8,000 – not a huge amount compared to the five-figure sums raised normally, but it will spend, and the county’s needy children will benefit."
October 2020:
Kruisin for Kids (KFK), a parade of creatively decorated cars through the Peninsula, raised more than $8000 for the kids of Sussex county. THANK YOU to all participants and contributors!
Kruisin for Kids - Press Release
August 2020:
Clothing Our Kids (COK) Recognizes Two Outstanding Board Members and Announces New Members. This month’s COK Board Meeting recognized two outstanding Volunteer Board Members as they step down after each served an eight-year tenure. Also, four new members were welcomed to the board.
2020 Clothing Our Kids Board Members Changes - Press Release
March 2020:
An Enchanted Evening Under the Stars to Benefit Clothing Our Kids. The second annual Kickin' it up for Kids Fundraiser will be held on April 16, 2020, at the Peninsula Golf & Country Club. (Postponed)
2020 Auction Party Fundraiser - Press Release
January 2020:
Janney Donates to Clothing Our Kids. Janney’s financial advisors and staff in its Lewes office collected needed apparel items to support Clothing Our Kids this holiday season. THANK YOU! We appreciate your generous donation!
2019 News Articles and Video Clips
September 2019
Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary. THANK YOU to the Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary for their generous donation of $2000 to Clothing Our Kids!! We truly appreciate it.
August 2019:
Custom SurfBoard Auction to Benefit COK. Bids accepted through August 15, 2019. A collaborative group of artists, designers, and craftsmen has teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind surfboard which will be auctioned as a fundraiser for Clothing Our Kids.
Custom Surfboard Auction Details
July 2019:
Through their “Bidding for a Cause Silent Auction” program, the employees of ALOFT AeroArchitects at Delaware Coastal Airport donated $620 to Clothing Our Kids. Pictured are the CEO of AeroArchitects Bob Sundin and COK Board Member Bob Blouin. On behalf of the Sussex County KIDS in need: THANK YOU! We appreciate your generous donation!
April 2019:
Many thanks to Dogfish Head "Tasting Room and Tours Tip Program" which donated $5,952.92 on April 16th to COK! We so appreciate your generous donation!
Dogfish Head Donation to COK - Press Release
Auction Party held at Peninsula Golf and Country Club raised more than $54,000 for COK. THANK YOU to all donors, volunteers, and participants for making this such a successful event!
Auction Party Fundraiser - Press Release
2018 News Articles and Video Clips
October 2018:
Beachcomber Corvette Car Show- Many thanks to this wonderful club which donated $2,105.00 on Oct 4th to COK! They Rock!
September 2018:
John Smith, COK President - Cape Gazette Letter to Editor
August 2018:
Delaware Living - Two Delaware Electric Co-op Members Honored Nationally
John Smith, COK President - Year End Wrap Up
June 2018:
Thank you to our Friends at Beebe Hospital! WE are all part of one community and COK is so grateful that you were able to collect enough brand new articles of clothes for us to aid over 200 kids in NEED right here in Sussex County! We so appreciate the program you’ve put in place to help us gather clothes this summer in preparation for the upcoming school year!
May 2018:
Thank you to the Carl M Freeman Foundation for hosting and honoring Clothing Our Kids at the annual May reception with a $5,000 grant award. We are delighted and honored to have been selected as a 2018 Carl M Freeman Foundation FACES grant recipient. This grant award will purchase clothing for children as they begin the 2018/2019 school year!
The Nanticoke Rotary awarded a $1,500 Grant from their annual Grant Fund to Clothing Our Kids! Thank you to this Seaford Delaware Organization for your support. We are honored to have been one of 5 organizations to have been selected. This Grant will allow us to purchase more clothing for the Kids of Sussex County.
March 2018:
Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary donated $2,000 to Clothing Our Kids! Thank you to George Jarvis for nominating COK to the Rotary, this donation will allow us to purchase more clothing for the Kids of Sussex County! Cape Gazette - Lewes Rehoboth Rotary Donation
Nanticoke Health Fair was conducted on March 17, 2018. Kim, Kathleen, Monica, Maria and Glenn hosted a COK booth, creating more Sussex County awareness about the Clothing Our Kids mission.
Dogfish Head Brewery Staff collects tips each month to donate to a charity. In January, COK was pleasantly surprised with a check for $2735.67 from this incredible Staff at one of Sussex County’s most successful businesses. Matt Feterson, Off-centered Tour and Tasting Room Manager, is the lead on the program. COK volunteers visited the Brewery in Milton to thank the Dogfish Head Staff during their monthly meeting on Friday March 16. Thank you Dogfish Head Staff for your kindness and generosity to the KIDS of Sussex County.
February 2018:
Community Bank of Delaware Donates $1,000 to Local Organization “Clothing Our Kids”. In an effort to support the children of Sussex County, Community Bank Delaware donated $1,000 to “Clothing Our Kids”. Jack Riddle, President of Community Bank Delaware noted, “This grassroots organization is really making a difference for children in our community, we are happy to help out.” Pictured below are (L-R) - AVP Lori Ruberti, CFO Angie Warrell, President Jack Riddle, AVP Brandon Perdue, Clothing our Kids Outreach director Glenn Schuster, AVP Dawn Burbage and VP Shannon McGinn.
Glenn Schuster, our Community Outreach Director, promoted clothing Our Kids on the Weller Does Delmarva Show on Feb. 10th. - Weller Does Delmarva
January 2018:
Delaware Electric Cooperative – Who Powers You! Mary Rio, COK Founder
The Delaware Way - Jack Blannett, COK Board Member Interview
2017 News Articles and Video Clips
December 2017:
John Smith, COK President - Cape Gazette Letter to Editor
October 2017:
2017 Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award
Read the entire story here Governor Announces Social Justice/Advocacy Awards
Clothing Our Kids, Social Justice/Advocacy
Clothing Our Kids (COK) is a nonprofit organization of approximately 150 volunteers whose
mission is to improve the lives of at-risk elementary school children by providing them with
school clothing. In Sussex County, 22 percent of children live below the poverty level and do not
have school clothing. Lack of appropriate school attire has a negative impact on children’s self esteem,
school attendance, ability to learn, and can lead to bullying. Clothing Our Kids’ goal is
to assist youngsters with an equal start in their early education and help them become successful
students. Working exclusively through nurses, counselors, and assistant principals, volunteers
with Clothing Our Kids respond to requests, usually within 24 hours. Volunteers pack up the
items and deliver them to the school, where the children are presented with the package in
private, so they are never embarrassed in front of their peers. In the 2016-17 school year,
Clothing Our Kids provided more than 20,000 items to 3,852 children.
August 2017:
Delaware Electric Cooperative - Delaware Living - Clothing Our Kids
July 2017:
Clothing Our Children In Sussex County | WBOC
Local Volunteer Organization Making a Change | WBOC
Clothing Our Kids Seeks Continued Support | Cape Gazette
2016 News Articles and Video Clips
December 2016:
Thank you to all of our 2016 volunteers for their dedication in serving the children of Sussex County.
A huge Thank You to Mountaire! Clothing Our Kids was selected for the Mountaire Better Delmarva Award! The ceremony was conducted on December 14. Please view the videos below which will be shared on live TV WMDT.
November 2016:
Many thanks to Del-One FCU and the Del-One Foundation which are focused on giving back to the community. The Del-One Foundation raises funds throughout the year for charitable purposes to benefit the residents of Delaware. Yesterday, 11/29 "Giving Tuesday" kicked off our Holiday Spirit Give Back campaign! The Foundation donated an additional $7000 to Clothing Our Kids, a local organization whose mission is to "improve the lives of at-risk elementary school children by providing them with essential school clothing". The Del-One Foundation also sponsored and participated in the Clothing Our Kids annual golf tournament in October, and members and staff of Del-One collected and donated over 15 bags of clothing to this amazing organization. #GiveBack #GivingTuesday #DelOneWay. Pictured below (L-R): Del-One Foundation Board Director Heather Gunter, Del-One Foundation Board President Amy Resh, Clothing Our Kids Rep. Kate Gibson, and Del-One FCU President/ CEO Dion Williams.
October 2016:
Third Annual "Clothing Our Kids Golf Tournament" | WRDE
The Ribbon Cutting at the New Volunteer Center was held on October 25, 2016. We are very grateful to the business community for joining us for this occasion. Thank you to John Yeatman, Jr for taking the picture of our Ribbon Cutting!
Dine and Donate: Thank you Arena's for donating 10% of the diner's meal on October 18th! and... Thank you to the over 50 supporters who dined at Arena's helping to make this event a success!
August 2016:
Stephen and Company sponsored a Cut-A-Thon for 25 children. Thank you to all their clients who donated over $3,000.00 to Clothing our Kids!
Kiwanas Club, Bridgeville, DE ---- The Bridgeville Kiwanis International Club extended a gracious invitation and allowed one of our volunteers, Glenn Schuster, to present Clothing Our Kids Mission to their organization. Thank you Glenn!
Volunteer Committee Meeting Sporting the Clothing Our Kids Volunteer Attire!!!
June 2016:
Christmas in June?! The Girls Club of Sussex County say thanks!!!
Many thanks to Haddad for their GENEROUS donation of over 5,000 boys and girls shorts and tops! We had some very happy volunteers on deck to unload the 775 boxes for the kids of Sussex County. It was a very exciting day and we are most grateful!
March 2016:
Wow! Thank you to 190 women, including 60 Clothing Our Kids volunteers, for attending the Lunch with a Purpose at Atlantic Sands in Rehoboth Beach. The Clothing our Kids organization received $4,275. Thanks to the generosity of the attendees over 5,000 items were collected for "Little Graces Kids'! Thank you to everyone who donated their time, auction items, and dollars.
Hawkseye Run/Walk: On March 20th, the Hawkseye neighborhood sponsored a Run/Walk event to support Clothing Our Kids. Thank you all for attending this event! We collected $2,645. A huge thank you to the Hawkseye Community kids for collecting 60 bags of clothing!
February 2016:
COK's friend Barbara Curran is doing it again! This time it's a Silpada Fundraiser. During the week of Feb 10-17, Barbara is donating 20% of all online sales to COK. We appreciate her ongoing support and efforts! Also, Barbara will be giving away a door prize. After your order is placed online, you will have a chance to win these beautiful earrings valued at $89! Shop at the new Spring Collection using the special fundraiser link: http://sild.es/13Ha
Delmarva Treasure - Clothing our Kids: Interview with Mary Rio on Delmarva Life | WBOC
January 2016:
Thank you Haddad Brands for your generous donation of 400 Levi Jeans and Fleece-wear for Clothing Our Kids!
2015 News Articles and Video Clips
Clothing Our Kids is extremely thankful for the many events and donations to support Clothing our Kids during 2015.
December 2015:
Many Thanks to Punkin Chunkin for their $500 donation to Clothing Our Kids!
Dine & Donate at Hobos! Bring a donation for Clothing Our Kids and receive a complimentary Amuse-bouche
November 2015:
Sample Sale! Join us from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. for WINE, CHEESE, DOOR PRIZES & 50-80% off of NEW Housewares, Toys, Beauty Products, Accessories, Tech Gadgets & more! *10% of ALL sales will be donated to Clothing Our Kids. Cash & Carry (checks will be accepted)
Location: Barbara Curran's Home (24562 Atlantic Drive - Marina Bay)
Dine & Donate at Arena's! 10% of all sales for lunch and dinner will go directly to Clothing Our Kids! Click Coupon below to give to your server.
Dine & Donate at Catch 54!
10% of all sales for lunch and dinner will go directly to Clothing Our Kids! Click Coupon below to give to your server.
Clothing Drive Sponsored by the Del Tech SGA. TWO drop-off locations: Del Tech's Main Entrance & the Student Services Building
Nonprofit helps clothe needy kids in Sussex (delmarvanow.com)
January 2015:
Clothing Our Kids benefits from donation of 200 coats | Cape Gazette
December 2013:
Fundraising to clothe our kids | Cape Gazette
September 2013: