Hundreds of elementary school children in Walton and Okaloosa counties will receive new wardrobes and participate in hands-on learning activities during the Junior League of the Emerald Coast’s annual Child Clothing Project on November 4 and 5.

• The two-day event, hosted by the HSU Educational Foundation, allows underserved children to “shop” at no cost in a pop-up boutique for essential items including pants, shirts, shoes, a jacket, bag, book, underwear, socks, toiletries and a toy.

The program also features enrichment activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math provided by the HSU Educational Foundation and other community partners. 

“Child Clothing Project was started in 1979 with 36 children and has grown and evolved tremendously over the years to become one of the most respected public outreach programs in the area,” said Bethe Manning, president of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. “While providing the children with essential clothing items is fantastic, it is so much more than that.”

Manning emphasized the broader impact of the event, noting that high school and middle school volunteers learn about helping others, potentially inspiring future charitable participation. She also highlighted positive interactions with law enforcement and exposure to STEM activities like drone demonstrations and ozobots that may spark career interests.

“The entire event is incredibly enriching to all involved from the HSU Educational Foundation and their partners who graciously hosts our event to the wonderful community partners and local businesses that support us, to the volunteers who attend the event,” Manning said. 

• The HSU Educational Foundation is providing STEM activities designed to introduce children to potential career paths through hands-on discovery. 

“Future workforce demands will call for a good foundation in STEM subjects, but performance often begins by developing an interest by discovery through fun activities and awareness of the careers that exist in our community,” said Amanda Negron, executive director of the HSU Educational Foundation. “The HSU Educational Foundation provides these types of youth camps and training programs at no cost to participants.”

Junior League members design and build the pop-up boutique to create an authentic shopping experience, with area high school and middle school volunteers serving as “shopping buddies” for the children. 

After shopping, children can explore interactive exhibits from community partners including the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Fort Walton Beach Library, Okaloosa Department of Health, Okaloosa County Crime Prevention Manager, Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, Emerald Coast Science Center, Gulfarium, Kidding Around Yoga and Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. 

• Volunteers from Shoal River Middle School, Choctawhatchee High School, Destin High School and Niceville High School will support the event, along with volunteers from Sundance Rental Management Company and Emerald Coast Association of Realtors. 

The Child Clothing Project is funded through Junior League fundraising events, individual sponsors and charitable donations from local businesses. 

For more information about the HSU Educational Foundation’s programs, visit here. For information about the Child Clothing Project, contact Lauren Link at childclothing@jlec.org or 225-933-7397.