SHARONVILLE, Ohio — Just this week, teachers from Heritage Hill elementary requested about 175 coats for students who didn't have one. They're fortunate in the district to be able to turn to the Princeton Closet.
The Princeton Closet is a cozy space by the bus garage that houses donations including food, cleaning supplies and warm winter clothes like coats, hats, gloves, jeans, hoodies, shoes and socks.
Retired teacher Susan Wyder started the closet years ago and is working this week to try to keep it stocked. She estimates about 3,000 students in the district will need a winter coat, so just as quickly as they come in, they go right back out to kids in need.
Wyder said she has a special team that helps identify the needs of students.
“The bus drivers are the first line of defense, and they'll come back and tell me when kids don't have shoes that fit or socks, coats, hats, gloves or whatever,” Wyder said. “One of the bus drivers came yesterday and said, ‘We have a family that's homeless and they've lost everything, can I give them your phone number?’ Sure.”
The Princeton Closet is located at 11786 Highway Dr., just off Hauck Road if you want to donate items in person.
Otherwise, Wyder said a tax-deductible monetary donation helps them to buy coats in the sizes they need.
