From warm mittens to a fluffy beanie, it is important to bundle up during the cold seasons of the year. Some may argue that spreading holiday cheer and giving back to others is vital when approaching the holiday season, and one of the many ways the Norwin community spreads joy is through an annual clothing drive.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Norwin School District held its 12th annual clothing drive—spreading cheer and giving back to the community right before the holidays approach. The Knights Helping Knights Clothing Drive is an annual clothing drive before the holidays organized by elementary school teachers, Mrs. Alexis Janiga and Mrs. Kristie Lynn.

The clothing drive took place at Sheridan Terrace Elementary School, where children may choose items that they want to keep for the winter seasons. This year, like others, the clothing will primarily be for elementary-aged and middle school students. Additionally, the Norwin community will be accepting newborn to junior and adult-size clothing, winter apparel, and shoes.

“We (teachers and volunteers) collect gently used clothing from people in the community, sort the clothing by size and gender, and then display it on Friday, November 15 for a free shopping event,” said Kristie Lynn, Sheridan Terrace Elementary teacher and Co-Chair of the Knights Helping Knights Clothing Drive.

One of the Knights Helping Knights Clothing Drive main goals is to raise children and citizens in the North Huntingdon community who consistently give back to the community. A few years ago, teachers at elementary-level schools noticed that students were in need of clothing to wear… so they decided to face the problem head-on by organizing a clothing drive.

“We (Norwin teachers and instructors) had boys and girls in our classroom that were in need of clothing,” said Mrs. Lynn. “We were buying and bringing new clothes to school weekly. We knew in our community there are so many generous people that could give beautiful clothing that their children grow out of, and also those in our community who need a little extra help. Our idea was to connect these groups with the clothing drive.”

After collecting clothes, families and students can drop off clothing at any of the elementary schools in the Norwin community: Hahntown, Hillcrest, Stewartsville, Sunset Valley, and Sheridan Terrace. Also, people can drop off clothing at the middle school to contribute to the food drive that takes place on Saturday, November 16 at Sheridan Terrace.

“As guests arrive they are given bags they can fill with whatever they find,” said Mrs. Lynn. “There are only a few teachers working on this day so shopping is confidential.”

On the evening of Friday, November 15, students can volunteer to help display and organize clothing for distribution day the next day. During this time, students organize the clothing by size and gender and then go on to set up the clothes throughout the Sheridan Terrace cafeteria, in preparation for the following day.

Every fall/winter, when it gets closer to the holiday season, the Norwin community does its best to give back to others through many events… including coordinating the Knights Helping Knights Clothing Drive at Sheridan Terrace, so that students at school are more excited to go to school each day.

“We want students to feel good about themselves coming to school so they can focus on learning,” said Mrs. Lynn. “Let us take one thing that you worry about off of your plate.”

This year, the Sheridan Terrace elementary teachers and volunteers kept a count of how many people entered the building to look at—and possibly take—some of the various clothing pieces that were up to grabs. Over the course of Saturday, November 16 from 9 am to noon, over 160 families showed up to shop.