“ Children are NOT a distraction from more important work.They are THE MOST important work. ”
C.S. Lewis
“ Children are NOT a distraction from more important work.They are THE MOST important work. ”
C.S. Lewis

Friends of the Children

To Care  ♥  To Identify  ♥  To Clothe

Providing new clothing for children in the Ashland Independent School District

Ashland, Kentucky

Who we are …

Friends of the Children is a local 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization comprised of 40 members. We stand as the oldest continually running non-profit organization in the city of Ashland, Kentucky. Our mission objective is to provide new clothing for children in the Ashland Independent School District (Ashland, KY) whose families stand in greatest financial need.

More about us

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We believe that each child in our community should have the opportunity to develop his/her unique talents, hopes, and dreams. We believe that the future strength of our community will be determined by the young people in our schools today, who will become our citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

By providing new clothes to children in need, we can contribute to their well-being, to their feeling of self-worth, and to their individual development.

Assisting our children, as they make their way along the sometimes rocky road to adulthood, is our reason to exist as an organization.

Our organization began over 100 years ago. Friends of the Children was born on August 12, 1903, in the home of Mrs. John Russell. Twelve ladies, from prominent families within the Ashland community, gathered to discuss the growing needs of local children. Their directive goal was to check with the Ashland schools for names of children who could not attend classes due to sickness or lack of adequate clothing.

At that time, members cut out and hand-sewed clothing, bought school books, provided groceries for entire families, purchased medicine, and even found temporary homes for children who were orphans.

With the growth of Ashland, more and more charities were organized to meet specific needs of the town. It was later decided that Friends of the Children would devote its entire effort to clothing the neediest of children, in order for them to remain in school.

Today, the organization’s goal remains the same and adheres to the rules of the original founders. The number of students who stand in need of clothing continues to rise, and the cost of clothing increases accordingly with the cost of living.

Friends of the Children is funded 100% by our generous patrons. All operating costs are absorbed by our members through annual dues, therefore 100% of all donations go directly toward clothing costs.

Each identified child will receive new clothing from head to toe at our local JCPenney store. During a shopping trip with FOC and Family Resource personnel, a student will choose: 2 tops, 2 bottoms, a package of underwear, a package of socks, other needed undergarments, an outer garment for cold weather, and a pair of name brand shoes.

Donations to Friends of the Children can be made:

NOTE: You can give in honor or memory of someone, in lieu of flowers, or can place a donation as a designated giving in a will. Please contact us directly for options. Friends of the Children is a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization. Donations are fully tax deductible.

You can make a difference!

You can make a measurable difference in the life of a child in the Ashland Independent School District with your financial donation to Friends of the Children. Clothing costs range from $150-$175 per elementary student and $175-$200 per secondary student.

Contact Us

Below are ways you can reach Friends of the Children; or, if you prefer, you can complete and submit the contact form with this section.

Phone:
Leslie Vincent, President
606-571-9478

Email:
friendsofthechildren18@gmail.com

Social Media:
Facebook

Direct Mail:
P.O. Box 1128, Ashland, KY 41105-1128

Above: Friends of the Children group

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