On Thursdays, you will find volunteers sorting clothes, snaking hangers through shirts, and folding items at the Springfield PTA Clothing Bank at Study Alternative Center.
The first four days it was open this school year, 462 kids sought clothing and shoes, compared to 383 children during that same time frame last year, said Patty Dunn, co-chair of the clothing bank.
The PTA Clothing Bank is a project of the Springfield Council of PTAs, which has been helping improve the lives of children in Springfield for more than 100 years.
The council consists of units that band together to help children reach their potential, and involve more parents in schools.
The roots of a parent-teacher association in Springfield occurred in 1909 at Boyd Elementary when “The Boyd School Mother’s Circle” was formed. At that time, school children drank out of buckets of water. When it was noticed stray dogs would lap water out of the same bucket, the council was established to solve the problem and provide clean drinking water for the students.
Those parents recognized a need and started working to address it, and a few years later a more official group formed under the national PTA, said Becky Volz, president of the Springfield Council of PTAs.
The first official Springfield PTA was established in 1913 at Phelps School and was named “Springfield Council of the National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associations.”
Many of the early PTA’s had hygiene missions like reducing flies around the school; providing a toothbrush for every student; and during World War I, they published a cookbook teaching mothers how to feed their families using war rations.
Today, volunteers address a variety of needs.
“Our goal is to bring more unity in the district among our schools and we can do that with our PTA units. We work together with district officials, parents, and teachers and principals,” Volz said.
The council awards annual scholarships and assists or operates other projects such as 4th Grade Play; the city-wide PTA Reflections Showcase which is a popular art competition; Reading Is Fundamental, and more.
It also offers training for PTAs because parents transition out of the organization as their children age and there is constantly a new wave of parents who need to learn about PTA and council helps them navigate it.
The council also helps develop leadership in local units and promote membership
A key element of PTAs that is often overlooked is it serves as education advocates on state and national levels, said Volz.
“National PTA brings 4 million strong voices to the department of education in our country,” she said. “We do make a difference in Jefferson City and that is why parents should be more involved in their child’s education. If parents are concerned about something happening in their school, get involved.”
SUBHEAD
There are 48 PTAs in the Springfield council. The most recent addition is at Weaver Elementary.
Kristina Wilmoth, steering committee chair at Weaver, launched the effort to re-start the Weaver PTA even though none of her children currently attend school there.
She may not have children in the school but she does have a passion and belief that parent involvement is critical.
“A PTA is run by volunteers, it’s run by parents, and individuals invested in it. Having involved parents is the difference. There are so many factors that affect children and number one is parent involvement in children’s lives,” Wilmoth said.
Weaver once had a PTA but it dismantled it years ago. One issue was the $5 membership fee, most of which goes to the national organization. So Wilmoth is offering membership scholarships to any parent who needs it.
Through the PTA, they hope to organize events and help support Weaver’s spirit store, where students earn credits for good attendance and behavior that they can then cash in at the store.
“Weaver offers a variety of items, many things that would be needs instead of wants, like hygiene items. They price them lower. Kids get so excited to be able to buy items and bring them home to their family. It’s very empowering. At Christmas, they have a special Christmas store where kids can buy gifts. We are going to keep it going,” she said.
Mary Christiano also believes in the power of PTA.
She’s been involved in Springfield’s for 36 years and a three-time past president of the council.
Even though her children are grown, she dedicates a lot of time to the organization.
“It’s a service to the community,” Christiano said.
Christiano is a volunteer for Reading is Fundamental, and says one of the greatest accomplishments of the PTA Council was the establishment of the clothing bank.
“Knowing how many children it is serving now is amazing,” she said.
During the 2016-2017 school year, it helped 2,400 kids and gave away 1,400 winter coats, said Dunn.
Students are allowed to shop at the store three times a year and once a year, they receive new socks and underwear.
Clothing bank co-chair Jennifer Penny helped revamp the bank and transform it into a fun shopping experience so it “feels more like a store and less like a garage,” said Dunn.
Penny joined PTA when her son was in first grade and now he is a senior.
Some parents shy away from the organization because they think PTA is a big time commitment or will require a lot of fundraising, but there are so many opportunities to get involved, said Christiano.
“It will take as much time as you are willing to give. Some parents may give 1 hour a month. If you have more time, be a homeroom parent and help with backpacks. Help with a family fun night. There are so many things a parent can do. The teachers appreciate any help they can get,” Christiano said.
For PTAs to thrive, parents must put the “P” in PTA and the organization is not just geared towards elementary – it’s important at every age.
“When I served as PTA president at the middle- and high school level, I always told parents how even more important it becomes to stay involved in their student’s life as they get older,” said Penny. “No, we may not need to assist with a project in the classroom or wipe down lunch tables, but we need to stay involved in an appropriate way – and there is no better way than PTA.”
How can you help?
You can get involved the PTA at your child’s school or your neighborhood school, or make a donation to any PTA. Donations are tax deductible.
The Weaver Elementary PTA is seeking people willing to sponsor a family membership which costs $5. Weaver is a Title 1 School and the majority of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The PTA provides membership scholarships. If you are interested in sponsoring, email kristinaw@mopta.org
The PTA Clothing Bank accepts donations of new or like-new clothing suitable for children and teens for a variety of seasons. It also needs new underwear and socks donations. It accepts monetary donations so it can fill in any gaps not covered by clothing donations. It also needs volunteers to help sort clothes.
The clothing most needed is boys’ clothes sizes 7-16 and girls sizes 7-16. They can always use jackets and winter coats. Some other popular items are gently used shoes, belts, pajamas, purses, backpacks, fashion scarves, costume jewelry and new blankets.
The PTA Clothing Bank is located on the backside of Study Alternative Center, 2343 W. Olive St. the entrance is not accessible from the school so drive around back or north of the school and you will see a sign designating parking for PTA Clothing Bank. It is open for volunteers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, and 9-11 a.m. some Saturdays to receive donations or volunteers. For a schedule: scptamo.com/special-funds-and-projects/the-pta-clothing-bank/clothing-bank-f-a-q/
For more information about the PTA: scptamo.com