Student Volunteers Earn "Better Threads" at Orchard Knob

Students of Orchard Knob Middle School will soon be able to exchange volunteer time for much-needed uniform clothing, thanks to an initiative called "Dress the Code" (DTC). DTC is a project of a 2009 Leadership Chattanooga class team with the goal to make proper uniform clothing available to children in need.

The Leadership Chattanooga team is working with partners and donors to transform a small storage room at Orchard Knob into a fully stocked and organized uniform closet complete with shirts, pants and belts that meet the school dress code.

"We are delighted to have two corporate partners supporting the project so far," said team member Dawn Ford of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Health Department. "The Closet Factory has generously donated the custom-built storage needs for the space, and G & K Uniforms has donated clothing."

It was Orchard Knob Principal Maryo Beck who came up with the idea to require students to volunteer their time in order to receive uniform clothing items. "It is important to instill the value of volunteerism in young people, and this presents a perfect opportunity," Beck said.

The Leadership team -- which calls itself Better Threads -- is holding a clothing drive to collect new and used clothing to help stock the uniform closet.

There are two drop-off sites for the drive: the Business Development Center at 100 Cherokee Boulevard and the SunTrust Bank at 2201 East 3rd Street.

Clothing will be accepted during normal business hours. The items requested for the drive are short-sleeved and long-sleeved polo-style shirts in white, black, or gold; khaki pants and belts.

Although the project is focused on Orchard Knob, team members hope the success of the uniform closet at Orchard Knob will inspire community members to start similar programs in other schools.

Other team members are Linda Bullard, BlueCross BlueShield; Blair Bennington-Cannon, Patrick, Beard, Shilman & Jacoway; Kathryn Foster, Business Development Center; Amanda Galas, Waterhouse Public Relations; Richard Gary, Orange Grove Center; Glenn Morris, M & M Industries; Mark Reina, SunTrust; and Derrall Stalvey, WRCB TV3.

The 2009 Leadership Chattanooga class will graduate during a Community Luncheon on May 20 in the Doubletree Hotel downtown. The program, beginning at 11:30 a.m., includes presentations on all the class’s group projects. For reservations call 423-763-4366.