Penn-Elk Chapter DAR
The October meeting of the Penn-Elk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was a field trip to see the Guardian Angel Center, 364 Main St., Kersey
The center has been functioning for 20 years.
The organization provides new and “gently used” clothing to financially qualified infants, toddlers and school-age children, regardless of their place of residence. To begin school each fall, children are supplied with two pairs of new jeans, two new tops, a pair of new sneakers and socks, underwear and book bag.
The Guardian Angel Center receives help from the community, including support through the United Way of St. Marys and DuBois, community funds from Johnsonburg-Wilcox and Ridgway Fund, foundations from Elk County, Emporium, Mengle, Varischetti, Mee, AJ Palumbo, Stackpole-Hall and Women Who Care, and more.
The center is run completely with volunteers who launder used items and distribute items by size and type. Tours can be set up by calling 814-885-6192.
The Center is open year round on the first and third Tuesdays except January, February and June. During these months clothing is purchased and prepared for opening the last Tuesday of July and all Tuesdays in August as children are getting ready for school clothing. They are also open by appointment for emergency needs.
The center released its statistics for 2018-19. It distributed 7,000 new clothing items and over 9,000 used clothing items to 631 different children from 252 families. Participants have been welcomed from eight counties in the area. Referrals have been received from churches and schools to meet the needs of area children.
Volunteers and donations are welcome.
