Who We Help
Stories of Giving
Klothes for Kids,
Panama City, Florida
Every parent dreams of improving their children’s lives through education. These hopes were unexpectedly dashed for many families in the Bay District School System of Panama City, Florida when a mandatory school uniform policy was announced. The policy was clear: no uniforms, no admittance.
Now more than 450 students would not be going to school. Their families simply did not have the money to pay for their uniforms.
Most of us can only imagine how that would make us feel. Empathy is one thing. Action is another. And the WHO (Women Helping Others) Foundation® was there to make this situation right.
The guiding force behind WHO’s involvement was led by Reverend Bill Fox, Executive Director of the Panama City Rescue Mission. Saddened to see the dreams and hopes of many families being destroyed, he stepped in to help families carry some of the burden. His charity wrote to the WHO Foundation in 2006, asking for a $3000 donation to provide uniforms for the needy families.
“For many of these families, they were being forced to choose between paying their electric bill or buying school clothes and supplies. This is just not right,” says Reverend Fox.
The WHO Foundation agreed. The Foundation donated $15,000 instead of $3000.
“Since we depend solely upon the generosity
of the community, it is
always exciting to receive such a substantial gift early on. Our confifi
dence in
the success of our program grew greatly when the WHO grant arrived,” stated
Reverend Fox.
With this grant, the Klothes for Kids program was born. Last year, the organization served 1018 and this year they are hoping to help more than 1500 children from kindergarten to high school. “You can see relief on the parents faces and joy in the smiles of the children, knowing they’ll fifi t in like all the rest of the kids,” says Reverend Fox.
The program has paid off. The children have their best years of school, better grades, better behavior and they are excited about going to school.
Your donations to WHO do make a difference. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you.