Wauwatosa, WI – The Wauwatosa School District, in partnership with the District’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council, is pleased to announce that it will be opening its first ever community closet to provide students and families in need with new or like-new coats/jackets, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves/mittens and new laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and other critical items.

 

A launch event will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 9 – 11 am at Longfellow Middle School (7600 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa). Community members are encouraged to drop off new personal hygiene / household items and new or like-new clothing to be distributed to families and students in need.

 

The Community Closet is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin PTA and is executed by volunteers of the Wauwatosa Council of PTAs, including board members Adrienne Burgoyne, Deb Palec, Erik Peterson and Amber Stroud. Members of the PTA Council applied for a grant from the Wisconsin PTA in October 2021, and were later notified that they had been awarded $250 to assist the creation of the closet. The funds will be used to purchase plastic bins, wardrobe racks, hangers and labels, which will help keep the closet organized and allow volunteers to easily fulfill orders received from schools.

 

“This is an incredible undertaking – not only in size and scope, but also in terms of the critical need our community has for this type of support,” said Dr. Demond Means, Wauwatosa School District Superintendent. “The outstanding effort that our PTA members have dedicated to this cause is inspiring. I’m honored to belong to a community that cares so deeply and maintains such a strong desire to support their fellow neighbors. It’s efforts like this that continue to reaffirm my belief in this community.”

 

Community members can donate items at the launch event on February 19, 2022 from 9 – 11 am or at bins located inside each Wauwatosa elementary, middle, and high school after the event. Clothing items of greatest need for adults and children (all sizes) include new or like-new winter coats and spring jackets, snow pants/bibs, snow boots and rain boots (size 11c – 11 adult) gloves, mittens and hats. Laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner and body wash is also requested. Those who are interested in donating but are unable to deliver items to a bin may purchase items from the Community Closet Amazon wishlist. Items purchased via the wishlist will be sent directly to the community closet.

 

Community members in need should speak with their school guidance counselor, who will anonymously request specific items from the closet on behalf of the family or student. Orders will be filled anonymously by students including those in middle school and high school, and/or individuals involved in the District’s Transition Services. Efforts will be made to fulfill requests as quickly as possible, pending availability of the requested items.

 

Additional questions about the Community Closet can be directed to Adrienne Burgoyne or Amber Stroud at tosacommunitycloset@gmail.com.

 

About Wauwatosa School District
Wauwatosa School District is a high achieving, forward-thinking, richly diverse public school district serving approximately 7,200 students and families. The District consists of 16 schools: 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and the Wauwatosa Virtual Academy. Among these are two choice schools: Wauwatosa Montessori and Wauwatosa STEM, a charter school. A full STEM program is offered at Underwood Elementary and at both middle schools. Additionally, the District provides education for several county programs including Children’s Hospital and Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Youth and Family Justice Center. The educational community’s long history of excellence has been recognized both regionally and nationally.

For more information, visit the Wauwatosa School District website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram pages.

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