Clothing for a Cause

What we wear can impact our mood, creating a positive outlook in our day-to-day lives, something all children deserve a chance at. The Junior League of the Emerald Coast recognizes that new clothing is often inaccessible for many children in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Their Child Clothing Project works to bridge that gap.

Since 1978, the JLEC has hosted The Child Clothing Project. Over two days, more than 300 children are bused to the event location. These elementary school children are selected by guidance counselors based on their free or reduced lunch status.

Each child is paired with a JLEC volunteer who walks them through the pop-up boutique to select two shirts, two pairs of pants, a jacket, sneakers and packs of socks and underwear, all brand-new with tags.

While clothing is the main objective, in recent years, the JLEC has also been able to provide students with toiletries, a book and a toy. The day’s haul is put in duffle bags for the children to take home.

During the event, the kids have the opportunity to interact with various community partners. At the 2023 event, there were STEM activities, a drone demonstration, push-button making, a robotics game, yard games, and a police car and gear to. The children also get a pizza party before they are shuttled back to school after a fun-filled morning.

“It’s a really special day for these children and for the JLEC as well,” said Waverly Garnand, 2023–24 JLEC president. “The children love getting new clothes that aren’t hand-me-downs that they get to pick out.”

Photo courtesy of Junior League of the Emerald Coast

Throughout each year, the JLEC hosts events and fundraisers whose money goes towards funding the event and the nine Child Clothing Closets that are present in schools for students in need of new clothing. This year, the JLEC’s fundraising events include Touch-a-Truck, a gumbo cook-off, a Spring Gala, and Toast on the Coast.

The JLEC is always accepting monetary and new clothing donations. Businesses are encouraged to become community partners at the event by providing children’s activities or donations of supplies and food.

The JLEC accepts new members in the months of January and August and is always seeking women who are eager to serve the communities of Okaloosa and Walton counties.

As an organization, their mission is to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLEC’S purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

“I hope anyone attending a JLEC event or working with us is met with a group of passionate, dedicated women who are driven to give back to the community,” said Garnand.

To learn more about the Junior League of the Emerald Coast and its initiatives, visit JLEC.org.