Health Room Update

If you are cleaning out closets or looking to make further donations, here are clothing items that would be welcomed (be sure that all items are clean and laundered):

• all sizes of socks,
• elastic waist pants (especially sizes for grades K-3),
• hoodies or light fleece jackets to keep warm while inside.

Welcome Back! Time to Bundle Up!

We hope you enjoyed your homework free break and managed to get lots of rest! 

It's cold outside so please send your students to school with appropriate gear. Contact the school if you need assistance obtaining warm clothing; there are lots of wonderful items available in the Winter Clothing Share.

ARPS Warm Winter Coat and Clothing Share

To help everyone stay warm this winter, the Amherst school parent & guardian organizations (PGOs) are collecting winter coats & other outerwear for students (preK through 12th grade) & families.

We are seeking donations of clean, gently-used winter outerwear in ALL sizes (especially student sizes)

* coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats
* jackets * gloves/mittens *scarves * snowsuits

AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (ARHS) 21 Mattoon Street, 413-362-1700
Collection: Now through December 1st in the lobby
Distribution: Through the ARPS Family Center, November 20th into December

CROCKER FARM ELEMENTARY 280 West Street, 413-362-1600
Collection: Now until November 13th, in the lobby & at the preschool entrance
Distribution: November 14th, November 15th, November 16th

FORT RIVER ELEMENTARY 70 South East Street, 413-362-1200
Collection: Now until November 16th, in the lobby
Distribution: November 17th through November 29th (school days only)

WILDWOOD ELEMENTARY 71 Strong Street, 413-362-1400
Collection: Now until November 17th in the lobby
Distribution: November 20th through December 15th (school days only)

AMHERST REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL (ARMS) 170 Chestnut Street, 413-362-1800
Collection: November 6th through December 1st in the lobby & near the auditorium
Distribution: Through the ARPS Family Center, November 20th into December (as supplies last)

MANY THANKS for your donations. Thank you too to the businesses and community partners who are helping with this effort. Any winter clothing that is not given out at the schools will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center.

ARPS PGO Winter Coat & Clothing Swap

Have you discovered any winter coats or other outdoor winter clothing that your family no longer needs? Have your kids outgrown last year's winter gear? Please consider donating unneeded items to the ARPS PGO Annual Winter Coat & Clothing Swap. This district wide collaboration between the Family Center and the PGOs enables dozens of families to acquire the gear they need to stay safe and warm each winter. 

Collection boxes will be in the lobby beginning on Wednesday, October 11 at Open House. Winter coats, jackets, snowpants, and boots for preK to 6th grade students are especially needed. Other winter items and sizes including adult sizes are also welcome. Donations should be clean and in good condition. 

Distribution will be in mid November. If you would like to volunteer to help with sorting, set up, and distribution of donated goods please contact the PGO at ftriver@gmail.com. 

Click here for printable flyer to share.

ARPS Warm Winter Clothing Share - DONATE NOW

The Amherst school PGOs are joining together again this year to collect winter clothing for distribution to school and community families.  We are seeking donations of clean, gently used items in all sizes (both kids and adults), including:  coats, snow pants, snow boots, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and snowsuits.  

Donations may be dropped off at any school now through Thursday, December 2 (look for the big box in the lobby).

Distribution for Fort River families will take place through December 5 - 8 from 8:30am to 3pm. Please contact sarah.fortriver@gmail.com with questions.

Save your Gear for the Annual ARPS Winter Clothing Drive!

Brr! It's getting chilly at night! 

When you pull out your winter gear from storage please set aside anything that your kids have out grown for our annual ARPS Winter Clothing Drive. This year Fort River will host the Winter Clothing Drive in mid November; details coming soon. In the meantime, please save your gear so that families in our own community can benefit. Thank you!

Fort River Winter Coat and Clothing Share - Thursday and Friday, 11/12 and 11/13

FINAL NOTICE! Please send in your gently used winter gear on Monday and Tuesday of this week! Distribution for Fort River will be on Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th. Check the schedules for distribution dates at the other schools. Families may pick up needed items at any school within the district. 

Here is a PSA on Amherst Media about the Winter Clothing Drive: 
https://archive.org/details/WinterClothingDrivePSA2015

Thanks to Kim Stender and Amherst Media!

Annual PGO Winter Clothing Drive

Brrrr! The temperature is dropping and Fort River PGO's annual winter clothing collection is ongoing.  Now is a great time to go through closets and find coats/jackets, snowpants, boots, mittens, scarves, and hats that your family has outgrown or you no longer need. Please drop off clean items in good condition in the collection box in the lobby. All sizes are wanted, including infant/toddler and adult. 

All school and community families will be able to take whatever they need. Fort River PGO is working together with other ARPS PGOs and schools to share warm winter clothes among as many students and families as possible, and we also have community partners assisting with the clothing collections.  Distribution dates for Fort River will be on November 12 and 13. Volunteers are needed to help sort and hang donated items; please contact Sarah sarah.fortriver@gmail.com if you'd like to help. Thank you!

PLEASE Send in Winter Clothing for those in Need! Collecting NOW, Distributing on 11/12 and 11/13

The Fort River PGO's annual winter clothing collection is ongoing.  Now is a great time to go through closets and find coats/jackets, snowpants, boots, mittens, scarves, and hats that your family has outgrown or you no longer need. Please drop off clean items in good condition in the collection box in the lobby. All sizes are wanted, including infant/toddler and adult. 

All school and community families will be welcome to take whatever they need. Fort River PGO is working together with other ARPS PGOs and schools to share warm winter clothes among as many students and families as possible, and we also have community partners assisting with the clothing collections.  Distribution dates for Fort River will be on November 12 and 13. Please help if you can! Thank you!

Winter Clothing Collection! Please Search your Storage!

The Fort River PGO's annual winter clothing collection starts this week.  Now is a great time to go through closets and find coats/jackets, snowpants, boots, mittens, scarves, and hats that your family has outgrown or you no longer need. Please drop off clean items in good condition in the collection box in the lobby. All sizes are wanted, including infant/toddler and adult. 

All school and community families will be welcome to take whatever they need. Fort River PGO is working together with other ARPS PGOs and schools to share warm winter clothes among as many students and families as possible, and we also have community partners assisting with the clothing collections.  Distribution dates for Fort River will be on November 12 and 13. Look for a flyer in backpacks soon with more details on all of the collection and distribution sites and dates.   

Thank you!