The Butterfly Foundation Opens Pop-up Clothing Cupboard

A local non-profit organization, The Butterfly Foundation, will be holding a complimentary kid’s clothing cupboard on Saturday, August 10. The cupboard will have boys and girls gently used clothing ranging from 4T to size 16 in older kids. They will also have shoes and backpacks available.

Parents and their kids can “shop” from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ellwood City Moose Lodge.

The Butterfly Foundation was started in memory of Lincoln High School and Slippery Rock University graduate Christina Whelan. She taught second grade in Gastonia, North Carolina after school. She had passed away in 2011 in an accident on her way to school, she was 27 at the time.

Whelan taught at a low-income school where she and her co-workers did their best to personally assist students who weren’t able to afford new clothing and or school supplies. Often times, Whalen bought students backpacks with her own money.

In the beginning, the foundation’s efforts were to provide a scholarship to a Lincoln graduate majoring in education and to provide school supplies to Christina’s school in Gastonia.

“We feel as if there is a great need for assistance right here in Ellwood,” said volunteer and cousin of Whelan, Caitlan Cable. “Which is why we have organized this event. Any child in need is welcome to come to pick out any new and gently used clothing, shoes, coats and school supplies at our event.”