Clothing the young

A young child or baby wearing next to nothing is not an option for volunteers at a non-profit children’s assistance program.

Precious Bundles Children’s Assistance Program held its second annual Fill-a-Ford event to help clothe needy children. The event aims to load a truck with as many clothes as possible. Precious Bundles Children’s Assistance Program held the event at Pinewood Ford on Memorial Ave on Saturday.

Heather Syvitsky, a board of director for Previous Bundles Children’s Assistance Program, said the clothing collected ranges from newborns to size 16 boys and girls. Those that need clothing call Precious Bundles for a package of what clothing they need and volunteers drive out to deliver them.

"We feel clothing for children is a necessity," Syvitsky said. "It’s a gap that is out there that isn’t readily available. There are clothing stores that are second-hand that people can buy clothing but for a child not to have clothing …is really unfortunate."

Syvitsky said she wanted a clothing drive where people could easily get access to the location and was visible. A board member with Precious Bundles had a connection to Ford and suggested they do it at the dealership on Memorial.

For five years, the non-profit organization helped families clothe children. Syvitsky said they helped about 1,000 families. Last year the event filled two and half trucks. A constant challenge, Syvitsky said, is keeping up with the seasonal changes.

"We’re a growing organization," she said. "We’re just getting the word out in the last couple of years. We don’t have a storefront; we don’t have a place where people can just drop things off."
However, people can donate at the Kim's Custom Engraving and Gifts in Victoriaville Centre and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay.

Besides donations, Syvitsky said she hopes to raise more awareness and interest people to volunteer.