By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - “It was our favorite movie,” said Maria Jones and Kathy Ruple.
Remembering and talking about the concept of passing on kindness to another, seen in the movie, “Pay it Forward,” the two women from Sam Adams Elementary School launched the “Sam Adams Elementary Pay it Forward Clothes Closet.”
Jones, the homeless liaison for the Cassopolis Public Schools, is the student support specialist.
Ruple is well known by students and parents alike as the helpful person at the reception desk.
Their idea is simple.
If you have gently used or new winter outerwear items you don't need, please donate them to Sam Adams Elementary.
They are collecting coats, hats, boots, mittens, scarves and gloves of all sizes.
A private room is being set up similar to a store.
Those who find themselves in need, as their children have outgrown their winter wear, while their paycheck has failed to grow, they merely need to ask to visit the closet.
The women will make sure the visit is private and needed items can be taken without cost.
With continuing lay-offs and high gasoline and fuel costs, many families go without proper winter clothing just to make ends meet, they said.
Local charities are running low with their supplies because the need for help is so great, she added.
The concept of the Sam Adams Pay It Forward Clothes Closet is to help anyone in Cassopolis who needs outerwear winter clothing such as coats, gloves, hats and boots, including parents and grandparents.
Mainly, the effort is to address the needs of students and their families; however, the goal of the Sam Adams staff is to affect a change for the entire community.
Anyone, even those without children, are welcome to visit the closet.
They are accepting donations and plan to have the Pay it Forward Clothes Closet open on Monday Nov. 20. Sam Adams school hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. You can call ahead to schedule an appointment after hours to visit the “The Closet” at 445-0530 ask for Maria Jones or Kathy Ruple.