By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Students from the Art and Key Clubs at Union City High School recently joined to “show some love” for a student embarking on a fresh start.
A group from UCHS got involved in the community service venture “Charlee Kate’s Closet Packed with Love Project” to assist an unknown foster student in adapting to their new home and surroundings.
Charlie Kate’s Closet is a new local organization serving Obion County that was formed to assist foster families and the children they serve. Named in memory of Charlee Kate O’Connor, who passed away last year, the goal of CKC is to add hope and comfort to a life-changing and sometimes traumatic day and help support families who willingly open doors to children.
Students from Union City fulfilled a request from Charlie Kate’s Closet to pack a suitcase – suitable for a teen female – with clothing and personal hygiene necessities to make the foster home transition easier for both the child and her new family.
All included items were brand new, as students, as well as UCHS faculty, made donations of items and money to purchase other goods for the project. One suitcase was filled, and several more items were contributed to help fill other suitcases.
Club sponsors Hilary Webb (Art) and Carolyn Nipp (Key) oversaw the project for their students and experienced great joy in witnessing their efforts.
“Mrs. Nipp and I have a heart for service and have joined forces on many different service projects over the past 20 years of working together,” Webb claimed. “This, though, was one of our favorites as it will potentially help a teenage female in our community.
“Our students were awesome with their attitudes and efforts in this project.”