By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — Sussex County children are heading back to their classrooms. But not all kids have the luxury of back-to-school shopping sprees with their families.

Clothing Our Kids, a nonprofit founded in 2012 by Mary Rio, aims to fill the gap and help students in need “dress for success.”

Major fundraising looms in September, as COK’s inaugural online auction will take place over 13 days, Sept. 16-28, in conjunction with the organization’s annual golf tournament.

Proceeds will support COK’s mission to improve the learning experience of neighboring at-risk children. In Sussex County, more than 20% of children live below the poverty level, and the group assists these kids in obtaining an equal start in their early education, in hopes of helping them become successful, well-dressed and confident students.

COK has benefited from the generosity of individuals and companies, who donated items for the auction. The treasures range from one-of-a-kind jewelry to a connoisseur’s collection of the finest wines.

More than 75 packages will be available for online bidding, starting at noon Sept. 16. The deadline for bids is noon Sept. 28, the day after COK’s Tee Up for Kids golf tournament at The Peninsula Golf & Country Club, Millsboro, an event that has sold out.

Clothing Our Kids’ hub is its volunteer center on John J. Williams Highway in Millsboro. A 501(c)(3) organization, COK is solely dependent on the time and talents of 150 volunteers, since there is no paid staff. Over 90% of proceeds go directly to clothing Sussex County children in need.

“People do everything, from helping with the golf tournament to interfacing with the schools and delivering the clothes,” said Bob Blouin, president of COK’s board of directors. “We all do what we can do.”

COK continues to function during the COVID-19 pandemic, exercising caution while adhering to all social distancing and mask mandates.

“The bottom line is we are all watching the delta variant,” Mr. Blouin said. “We’ve asked people to tell us if they have been vaccinated. Most of our volunteers have been vaccinated.”

The group’s communication director, Kathleen Blouin, added that COK is ready for the new academic year.

“So far, no hiccups with back to school,” she said. “We’re ready when they are.”
COK’s board is rounded out by Mike Wezel, vice president, and Merrill Cohen, secretary/treasurer.

Since its founding in January 2012, COK has distributed 152,552 items to 26,838 children. In the 2020-21 school year, COK distributed 14,753 items to 1,413 kids in need.

To learn more about the auction, go here or call 500-3209.