40th annual coats and shoes drive benefits 134 children

Like so many things this year, plans for the 40th annual Woodford County Woman’s Club coats and shoes drive changed – then changed again. In previous years, children from underprivileged families were brought to Kroger (and before that, Kmart) and allowed to, with the help of club members and teachers, pick out a winter coat and pair of shoes. “We had decided we were going to give vouchers to the parents and have the parents bring the kids in to do their shopping,” said Delia Spurgeon, the club’s treasurer. “When Woodford County went into the red zone (for the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19), we couldn’t do that, either.” With the county in the red zone, the club asked family resource center coordinators to do the shopping last Wednesday, Nov. 4. Some coats and shoes weren’t available, so they got the rest at Sam’s Club and Walmart, according to Angela Reed, family resource center assistant for Simmons and Huntertown elementary schools. Another first this year was more positive – a donation of $2,000 from the Woodford County chapter of the Salvation Army. In return, the club is encouraging people to participate in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Spurgeon said the estimated $15,000 spent on the club’s coats and shoes program this year went further because Kroger sold the coats at half-price. She said she hopes the United Way will donate their usual $5,000, which will be used for next year’s program, for which the club raises money year-round. “This year, of course, we haven’t been able to do any fundraisers. We haven’t even been able to meet since March,” Spurgeon said. She said she and other club members missed being able to spend time with the children this year. “They’re always so funny and so cute, you know. They’re really thankful and appreciative and they always thank us and they draw pictures for us and everything, so it’s always a big deal. …  But this year’s just been one of those years for everybody.” Last week, Reed did get to watch as a preschooler picked out a coat. “She was just a little one, so she didn’t have much to say, but she was definitely grateful and happy about it,” Reed said. People who’d like to contribute to the Woodford County Woman’s Club coats and shoes program can send checks to the Woodford County Woman’s Club, PO Box 1193, Versailles, 40383.