Kids' Kloset drums up donations for 'back to school'

SMOKEY POINT The Arlington Kids' Kloset has benefitted from a host of donations in recent months, but they hope to draw even more support in time for the new school year.

Over the course of this summer, Kids' Kloset has received $4,000 from the Everett Clinic Foundation, $1,500 from the Greater Everett Community Foundation, and $1,000 from the Arlington Community Chest. On Aug. 11, the Downtown Arlington Business Association contributed $1,000 for DABA members Julie Tate and Marilyn Bullock to shop for school and other supplies for Kids' Kloset.

Tate and Bullock's shopping list was based on items requested by Kids' Kloset, and included scissors, rulers, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, and college- and wide-ruled paper, as well as shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, toothpaste, laundry soap, pants for boys, socks and underwear.

It was DABA's first time contributing to Kids' Kloset, but as with their shopping sprees for the Arlington Food Bank and the Cascade Valley Hospital, Tate and Bullock laughed about how much fun it was to shop for others, and encouraged their fellow community members to do the same.

"You don't have to buy supplies in the hundreds, like we did," Bullock said.

"Just go through your closets for old clothes, or pick up some extras the next time you go shopping," said Tate, who has a collection barrel for Kids' Kloset in her barber shop on 413 N. Olympic Ave.

"When a child can wear a new outfit to school, that's good for their self-esteem," Bullock said. "People patronize our stores, so as merchants, if they support us, we should give support back to them."

Tate described Kids' Kloset as a wonderful asset to the community, a sentiment which Kids' Kloset co-founder Kim Meno appreciates.

Meno hopes community members can contribute to two other back to school collection drives currently taking place in Smokey Point, one at Keith Leonard's dental practice on 17432 Smokey Point Blvd., and the other at the Gutierrez Family Chiropractic on 3702 172nd St. NE.

"Our biggest need, though, is always volunteers," Meno said. "We have about a hundred appointments scheduled with kids between now and the start of school."

Meno welcomes volunteers on a weekly or monthly basis, depending on how much time they have, for a variety of tasks, including helping families "shop" during their appointments.

Kids' Kloset is located at 135 S. French St., in the basement of the former Arlington High School, and its hours are from 9:30 a.m. to noon and from

5-8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon.

In the meantime, those who are interested in fine dining and music can support Kids' Kloset by attending their fourth annual "Taste of Washington," Aug. 23, from 6-9 p.m. on 20217 Old Burn Rd. Tickets are available at Flowers by George or the Arlington Pharmacy, or by calling 360-435-4875.

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.