McGuffey students collect loads of clothes for poor

The area’s less fortunate will be able to update their wardrobes because of students at McGuffey junior and senior high schools.

The high school German Club collected hundreds of pounds of gently worn clothes and shoes from their teachers and classmates to donate to the Washington City Mission.

“There is a mountain of clothing,” said German teacher Pam Stewart.

“There are some nice things here – teachers’ clothes, shoes. This is like consignment shop stuff,” Stewart said Thursday, when the items were delivered to the mission, which will sell them in its thrift shops in Washington and Greene counties.

The project began in January after Stewart said she “encouraged the officers to come up with something altruistic.”

Andrea Martin suggested the clothes drive, and the club added a contest to see which homeroom could donate the heaviest load.

“The winning room received a free hot breakfast with a cappuccino bar and everything,” Stewart said.

“It kind of made me feel like I was giving back to the community,” said Martin, 18. “It makes me feel a little more responsible.”

Her classmate, Brandon Gilmore, 17, also helped to oversee the effort.

“Not everybody has what we do, nice warm clothes,” he said.