Published: July 18, 2008 10:13 pm      

Clothing drive to help HISD students

More than 10 local churches are partnering with Huntsville’s Promise and the Huntsville Youth Council for a special clothing drive for Huntsville Independent School District students.

According to Scott Atnip, Huntsville’s Promise executive director, the clothes donated should be new or gently used items which students will be able to wear under the newly-adopted HISD standardized dress code.

“With the stress of buying all of the school supplies which are already needed every school year, we’re trying to help local parents deal with the added stress put on them by the new standardized dress code requirements,” said Courtney Weber, HYC member. “We think this drive will help a lot of families, because a significant number of them are having to buy completely new wardrobes for their students this year.

“Basically, we’re trying to lessen the burden for local families, especially those families who have more than one child in the school district to think about.”

As of Friday, drop off points for donations included the Good Shepherd Mission, the Hawkins Administration Building, Huntsville’s Promise, First Christian Church, St. Thomas, Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Elkins Lake Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church on 10th Street and the Huntsville Greater Parish.

According to Atnip, other churches, schools and businesses are also welcome to assist with the effort.

“Several people expressed interest in this project when we started kicking the idea around, and we’re all working with the mission because that’s where the clothing items will be distributed from,” he said. “Anyone interested in helping us with this drive can contact the Huntsville Promise office.

“Also, we’ll be working with The Huntsville Item to keep an updated list of participants available.”

Weber said items needed in the drive include slacks, jeans, skirts, shorts, skorts, dresses, jumpers and capris.

“Before purchasing clothes or putting together donations, we recommend a visit to the HISD Web site for information on the requirements of the standardized dress code,” she said. “The set of requirements on the Web site is about two pages long, so people will want to make sure their donations are acceptable.”

In general, slacks should be solid black, navy or khaki, and jeans should be unwashed, pre-washed blue or dark-dyed blue.

Shorts, skirts, skorts and capris must at least reach to the top of the kneecap.

Jackets must be of a solid color and not include a hood.

Belt buckles may not be larger than a credit card, and belts may not include spikes, chains or studs.

Logos on any piece of clothing should be 2 inches by 2 inches at the most.

Cash donations will also be accepted at any drop-off point.

For the complete dress code, visit http://www.huntsville-isd.org.

For more information, call Huntsville’s Promise at (936) 291-5950.