CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Faculty at a Coastal Bend elementary school say they noticed coats and sweaters were piling up over the years in their lost and found.
More than 100 sweaters and jackets at Gloria Hicks Elementary School have been left behind.
Candace Orta, a CIS Site coordinator at the school, said she noticed that jackets were piling up in the coaches' closet over the past few years from kids losing them. Orta said that with so many jackets in different sizes, she decided to turn something lost into something found.,
“Some kids come to school in just a sweatshirt, nothing to cover their ears you know, not thick enough for them,” Orta said. “Instead of throwing them away, we decided to go and get them cleaned."
With so many winter jackets needing to be cleaned, Orta took them to Peerless Cleaners off Staples Drive. Sales Manager Sky Shoemaker says they offered to clean them for free.
“As a family-owned business, we do it often," Shoemaker said. "We love helping our community, especially our children in need."
Orta said they will reach out to teachers to help find students who need the clothing. First-grader Dallas Vela said he was excited for his new jacket and has a helpful tip for his classmates so that their jackets don't end up returning to the lost and found.
“They have to put it somewhere else where you put your jacket somewhere where it keeps the jacket safe,” said Vela.
Orta said there are a lot of schools within CCISD that have apparel closets and would be grateful for donations such as clothes, food and school supplies.
“Find your local school that’s closest to you and donate to them because these kids really appreciate it,” said Orta.
For more information on how you can donate to a school near you visit the CCISD website here.
