Castleton Sertoma Club and We Can Help Inc. will help provide clothing for needy children. The Clothe A Child event will take place at J.C. Penney at the Castleton Square Mall Dec. 2 at 7 a.m. Fifty local kids will be able to shop privately with the help of community volunteers.
“It’s become a pretty big event,” said Mike Poynter, founder of We Can Help Inc. and parishioner at a Fishers’ church. ”J.C. Penney is absolutely amazing. We have been working with them for over 30 years. They give us a great discount. They buy a gift for each one of the kids that Santa hands out at the end.”
Poynter works with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bethany Christian Services, Indiana School for the Blind and Indiana School for the Deaf to choose participants.
“I work with the case workers at different organizations, and they’re able to provide me with the info on the kids that are most in need in their organizations,” Poynter said.
The event focuses strictly on clothing rather than toys.
“A lot of these kids come with holes in their shoes and hand-me-down items from their siblings,” Poynter said. “It’s pretty amazing to see the smile on their faces when they walk out with two big bags of brand new clothes. For most of them this is really the only Christmas they get.”
Poynter hopes the kids remember the generosity they were extended in the future.
“Obviously, the goal is to give the kids an opportunity to see while they’re in a time of need that they will be able to see what it means to accept someone else’s generosity,” Poynter said. “Hopefully, one day when they’re out there thriving in the community they can turn around and share some of their time, talent and treasure with other people who are in need.”
For more or to volunteer, visit wecanhelpinc.org.
