30-01-2025
How a clothing exchange is growing community at Sweetwater High
SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) — Sweetwater High School is seeking donations for its new clothing exchange where students can get new or gently used clothes for free.
On January 17, Sweetwater High School opened 'The Cat's Closet.' Since then, the students have fallen in love with the project, said teacher Sarah Davies. When the exchange first started, she was worried that there wouldn't be enough volunteers.
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'We're having to work shifts in this clothing drive because I have so many kids wanting to help out,' she said. 'This group of seniors we have that have really taken this idea and ran with it, the way that they're giving back, they're going through their closet, they're donating. These are things they could probably sell and make money, like name brand… and they're donating it.'
Not only does Cat's Closet give students a chance to be generous, but it also gives other students the chance to wear name-brand clothes that they might not be able to afford.
Davies recalled a student who asked if she could look when the closet first opened. When she came out with some items of clothing, she had tears in her eyes and asked if she could really take it.
'Absolutely,' Davies told her. 'As more comes in, if you need more, you can have it.'
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They also accept monetary donations. This helps when they need to order items for students. For example, Davies recalled a student who needed a new jacket, but the clothing exchange lacked one in his size. Because of monetary donations, they were able to order one.
The exchange also provides clothes to students who violate the dress code and need to change. This way, they don't have to drive home to get a different outfit.
Each donated item gets quarantined and washed. Any items with rips or stains get donated to another local charity. The Cat's Closet also supplies and accepts donations of hygiene products.
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Davies emphasized that this was not a charity closet but an exchange closet. Students are free to take what they want whether their 'parents make $3 million or $300 a year,' she said.
The exchange is holding a drive-through clothing drive on Saturday, February 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Men's and boy's clothes are especially needed.
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