Purchase, NY - Back-to-School Clothes for Kids (BTS) kicked off its 26th year at a reception at TAL International Container Corporation in Purchase, NY.

BTS has outfitted more than 16,000 needy children and teens throughout Westchester with new clothes and backpacks filled with school supplies.

This year the program is aiming to dress 1,000 children for “school success.”  When Back-to-School Clothes for Kids began, ten children were outfitted. Last year more than 850 children received clothes thanks to the generosity of 30 local companies and their employees as well as numerous individuals.

“We don’t do anything fancy or extravagant,” says BTS Founder Connie Kennedy of New Rochelle.  “We just provide the basics so that children who are living under difficult circumstances have one less obstacle to overcome. There are plenty of times that we see a situation that we can’t do anything about it.  But with Back-to-School Clothes for Kids we all know we can make a positive difference in a child’s life.” The children who are helped include those living in homeless facilities (Westhab & Westhelp), kids involved in community programs (Westchester Jewish Community Services and Community Action Programs in Peekskill, Ossining and White Plains) and children whose parents are in programs to get off public assistance (CLOUT Program at Pace).

Anyone interested will be sent a profile of a child and can buy that child three outfits, three sets of underwear and socks, a backpack & school supplies, and sneakers or a coat (whichever the child needs more). With funds that are raised, BTS holds Shopping Nights at local malls where teens are given a budget, paired with a volunteer and shop for their own clothing for school.

If you’d like to help Back-to-School Clothes for Kids by buying clothing for a child or contributing funds, contact Ms. Kennedy at 697-2792 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tax-deductible contributions can be made online at www.backtoschoolclothes.org or sent to Back-to-School Clothes for Kids, PO Box 304, White Plains, NY  10605.

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