By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

For many kids, the first week of school can be anxiety ridden with the self consciousness of the what clothes to wear, who has the latest in backpacks, binders or digital, handheld gadgets.

For some however, that anxiety can come from the weight of knowing during troubling economic times such as these, their parents may not be able to fill their closets with new clothes for school.

That is where Niles’ own Moose Lodge may be able to help some families in need. A special committee is collecting donations of clothing to be donated to Eastside Elementary School in Niles.

“We’ve got almost $500 worth of clothing,” said Wayne Wilson, chairman of the committee.

The Moose has conducted clothing drives before, sending donations up to Battle Creek.
“We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now,” Wilson said.

This is the first time, however, that the Moose has instituted a especially for one of Niles’ schools.

Wilson said the organization has “had a real good turn out so far for it.”

Helping children, Wilson said is one of the main focuses of the Moose Lodge.

Considered, “the family fraternity,” Moose Lodges located across the country, as well as in Niles and Buchanan work to support the Mooseheart Child City and School located just outside of Chicago, “a residential childcare facility, located on a 1,000-acre campus” which “is a home for children and teens in need.”

Wilson said Moose members at the Niles Moose Lodge are still accepting donations, which can be brought down to 2277 N. Fifth St. anytime before  Thursday, Sept. 3.

“It helps our community, the children, (those) who need help with clothing for school,” he said.

“We’ve never had anything like this,” said Eastside’s Principal David Eichenberg.
The school is still organizing options on how to handle and distribute the donations to any parents of Eastside students who may be in need.

School officials will probably set them out at the school’s open house during the first week at school and work with parents to find out who may be in need, dealing primarily on a case by case basis.

Wilson said all forms of new articles of clothing are welcome – as are second hand clothes.  However, the committee does ask that socks and under garments be purchased new.

Those interested in donating to the Niles Moose Lodge’s clothing drive can drop their donations off or call 684-1919. The committee plans to deliver their donations to Eastside Elementary School at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.