How excited and confident would your children feel learning to swim in second-hand (or third-hand) bathing suits?
Purchasing new swimsuits is not a priority on a limited budget for many local families, so many children do without. This is an issue that Elaine Rubinson and Shari Shapiro, of Clothes to Kids of Fairfield County were looking to solve when they decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign on The Impact Vine, an online fundraising site developed by nonprofits, for nonprofits, earlier this summer.
Their campaign just ended with CTKFC successfully raising $2000 to purchase new bathing suits for 230 local children. The organization will be using the newly renovated swimming pool located inside the Yerwood Center-Boys & Girls Club for those eligible to shop at CTKF.
Ms. Rubinson, founder of CTKFC, explained: “Last year a decision was made to conduct a clothing drive for “new bathing suits” given that children often feel embarrassed, humiliated, and ashamed wearing suits that are torn, stained, and do not fit properly. In addition, wearing old swimsuits can be a health concern, as well.”
“Purchasing new bathing suits is certainly not a priority on a limited budget, however, so many kids will forego going swimming and taking swimming lessons if they feel that the suit they are wearing does not look good on them.”
Ms. Shapiro noted, “Learning how to swim and practicing water safety is critically important for all children, which is why this particular campaign will be so impactful. We’re thrilled at the generosity of the community and look forward to sharing our organization’s mission with even more people through another campaign, soon!”
The Impact Vine was launched by The Community Fund of Darien in May, 2017 to make it easier to give back. To solve local problems. To raise funds for nonprofits’ projects. To volunteer. And to make it easier to connect with the community.
The Community Fund of Darien is an independent, results-oriented, volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to securing the local safety net by funding critical local needs and developing new initiatives for unmet needs in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk.
For more information on The Community Fund of Darien, please visit www.CommunityFundDarien.org. For information about Neighbor to Neighbor, please visit www.ntngreenwich.org.
For more information on The Impact Vine, an initiative of The Community Fund of Darien, please visit www.TheImpactVine.org .