Just as many packages filled with Christmas gifts enter Minnesotan towns each December, the cold never fails to arrive alongside them. Thankfully, humans have adapted to low temperatures by clothing themselves with extra layers. With jackets, fuzzy socks, and crocheted scarves, one can stay comfortable outdoors during the winter. Unfortunately, this luxury is not accessible to everybody. Because of that, a number of students situated in South Washington County risk running cold in the winter of 2020-2021. However, SoWash-Co CARES is coming to these children’s rescue. The Cottage Grove Journal searched into what SoWashCo CARES is and how they are accommodating students in Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury and Cottage Grove this season.

In a video uploaded on the ISD 833 Youtube channel, Cheryl Jogger illustrates that the idea of SoWashCo CARES surfaced in 2016 when she and her family participated at a Feed My Starving Children event in the district. The mother was inspired by the local community’s involvement that took place there. She felt drawn to bring that same passion of aiding hungry children on a global scale to supplying her neighbors in need. With that, the mission launched “with the narrow goal of meeting basic needs for our students, so they can focus on learning in school,” as quoted on their givemn. org platform.

To reach this goal, SoWashCo CARES has many methods. The first one being how they partner with nearby businesses, schools, and citizens. For example, in November, the initiative collaborated with Ze’s Diner in Woodbury to donate Thanksgiving feasts to the neighborhood’s families that were unable to do so alone. Another strategy SoWashCo CARES practices in order to aid students in need is through notifying the community of giving opportunities through social media. On their Facebook page, they post requests for specific items that the district’s families are in need of on a “real-time” basis. These necessities often range from food, clothes, toiletries, or gas cards. Then, with the involvement of the schools, the donations are handed directly to the families that need them. A final way SoWashCo CARES addresses the needs of the community is through their givemn.org website. To date, this platform has facilitated the incorporation of an additional 100+ donors. In short, the group’s plans stay true to their mantra, “It’s about our community helping our community.”

Considering all that SoWashCo CARES has done for the county previously, what act of goodwill will they perform next? The answer; their annual Winter Clothing Drive that is happening again this year. SoWashCo CARES is linking arms with South Washington County Schools Community Education to combat children from running cold this winter. They are calling on residents and organizations in the area to contribute newly purchased and cozy gear to their drive. Also, The Winter Clothing Drive is designed in a way where a student in need of specific articles will collect them directly. What is most notable about SoWashCo CARES’s Winter Clothing Drive is that it addresses the definite needs of kids. This ensures community members that their contributions will be utilized.

The community has responded to SoWashCo CARES’s call to action in an overwhelming way. On November 3rd, some impressive digits were posted on their Instagram page, “In 4 weeks we’ve matched 266 students with 834 items of winter clothing from 143 donors and 3 organizations!”

This is a fantastic accomplishment! Nonetheless, there is still more progress to be made in order to keep every child of District 833 toasty this winter. The Cottage Grove Journal is stoked to announce that readers can conduct this further progress! One may kick start their participation by purchasing waterproof boots, coats, gloves, or snow pants from a store. Right now, there is an emphasized need for two of these. Jogger identified them in an interview, “Boots and snow pants for our older kiddos (teens) are often harder to find, especially later in the season.”

While buying these products, SoWashCo CARES encourages donors to grab a gift receipt for them. This is in case a different size is necessary for the student receiving their generous donation. Next, that person should navigate to their Google Form with the following link. (https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTyeZ7KcptVNHPDaUCrd19eZZzxoy2haHFmW WcrvQKJw8-fw/viewform? gxids=7757& fbclid=IwAR1voLn4C71DflJmOm-W0mi82H2IF_GxJZSts W1JGR6LJPhWMcjuxqRxv2pk) This link is also attached to SoWashCo CARES’s Facebook page. The document allows participants to understand their responsibilities as donors as well as inform the drive’s organizers on what articles they have bought. Moving forward, donors will need to follow the directions that apply to them for the remaining process.

In conclusion, SoWashCo CARES is indeed all about the community helping the community. The Cottage Grove Journal leaves readers with one message of thanks from a neighbor who was impacted through The Winter Clothing Drive: “Thank you for the coat! It helps my mom to save money. I like it because it is warm. I like to read and have 2 siblings. One a boy and the other a girl. Thank you for everything!”