4 • The Beacon January 13 , 2022
River View seniors plan clothing giveaway
By Josie Sellers
TheCoshoctonBeaconToday . com
River View High School ’ s Carlye Balsley and Avril Arnold are using their senior project to continue a community clothing drive originally started by Jodi Shrimplin .
Shrimplin , a graduate of the district and substitute teacher , saw a need and did two small gently used clothing distributions in 2015 . One was at the former Union Elementary , and the other was at Conesville Elementary . She did two more distributions in 2016 before becoming involved with
Donations of clothes quickly filled up a room at Carlye Balsley ’ s home . the senior projects at River View , which are coordinated by Cindy Hemming .
“ In the 2016-17 school year , I was a mentor for the senior projects , so I had a senior working with me ,” Shrimplin said . “ During the 2017-18 school year , we did two distributions , and in 2018-19 we did three distributions . The pandemic zapped 2019-20 , and I stopped after that . I let Mrs . Hemming know the clothes were available if someone wanted to take it on . If not , I would get rid of the clothes .”
Balsley and Arnold were part of the group at River View that took the clothing drive over last year and are excited to expand their efforts this year .
“ Last year we just had clothes left over from previous years that Jodi did and only took some donations from the high school ,” Balsley said . “ We are overwhelmed with what we got this year but very grateful . We have so much to give back to the community . The clothing drive was created by Jodi Shrimplin to help give back to the public . That continues to be our goal . Avril and I decided to continue this project in order to give back to the community that has given us so much .”
This time around donation sites were set up at all five of the school buildings in River View ’ s district .
“ I was shocked with how quickly people donated ,” Arnold said . “ It seemed like every other day there were donations . It was a more involved project this year because we included the elementary schools . It felt really inclusive , though , and that was nice .”
In addition to the community ’ s willingness to donate , they also learn a lot about project management .
“ There is a lot of behind-thescenes work ,” Arnold said .
Balsley agreed . “ There is a lot
Submitted River View High School students Carlye Balsley and Avril Arnold sponsored a clothing drive for their senior project .
of management and logistics to it ,” she said .
The seniors will hold their first clothing distribution on Saturday , Jan . 15 from 11 a . m . to 4 p . m . at River View High School in the
“
I was a mentor for the senior projects , so I had a senior working with me ... I let Mrs . Hemming know the clothes were available if someone wanted to take it on .”
Jodi Shrimplin
cafeteria , and a second one is set for Saturday , April 23 . Trash bags and boxes will be provided for customers . The clothes are free , but there will be a donation jar near the door for donations to First
Step . Clothes remaining after both distributions will be donated to Out of the Closet Thrift Store in Columbus . The profits from this store go to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation .
They have many sizes and types of clothing and will have items sorted to the best of their ability .
“ They are really nice clothes ,” Hemming said .
Arnold said there is quite the variety from coats and tank tops to belts and prom dresses .
“ We really tried to sort out what maybe wasn ’ t the best ,” Balsley said .
Shrimplin is thankful to see River View students working hard to continue with the clothing drive .
“ There is a lot more involved than just collecting clothes ,” she said . “ Everything has to be cleaned and sorted . We would have hundreds of people through every distribution , so it was all worth it , but it became too much for me ( plus the pandemic ). I am very proud of what I started and thankful for such a giving community .”