SCHOOL DRESSING DAYS

Every summer, Trinitarians gather their children's outgrown clothing and open their hearts and pocketbooks to donate for School Dressing Days. This important, three-day community event takes place each August, when hundreds of financially disadvantaged children line up to receive new and good used clothing in preparation for the opening of classes in Fredericksburg and surrounding counties.

School Dressing Days is sponsored by the Interfaith Community Council, which consists of approximately 40 area churches and other religious groups.

Many thousands of area children have received free clothing since School Dressing Days began in 1976. This year, more than 1,000 children arrived with their parents at the program's new location, the Bragg Hill Family Life Center. The event was moved from its former location at the Fredericksburg Baptist Church in anticipation of the large turnout.

With increasing numbers of families in our area unable to shop for new school clothes, School Dressing Days has been the answer, making sure their children can return to school dressed in clean, appropriate clothes, including new underwear and socks.

Trinitarians' generous response to School Dressing Days includes donations of cash and an abundance of new and used clothing. Trinity's Vacation Bible School students donate backpacks and other school supplies. A number of parishioners volunteer to sort through overwhelming piles of clothing in preparation for the three-day event. Others help with fitting the children, ensuring that they leave proudly, displaying their new clothes and school supplies. All of these efforts are invaluable to the success of this vital community effort.