The Concerned Citizens of Atmore are working overtime this week to help local youngsters get ready for the upcoming school year. The civic organization is working to wrap up the last week of collections to go towards their School Uniform Swap Shop distribution event next weekend, when they will give away free school uniforms to needy families throughout Escambia County.

Edna Robins, correspondent secretary for the group, said the event is an annual drive the Concerned Citizens have been conducting for years.

“We have been doing this ever since they implemented school uniforms,” Robinson said. “We just want to help the community and families who might have trouble purchasing uniforms for their children.”

Robinson said the Concerned Citizens are able to acquire new uniforms from generous business owners, but also rely heavily on donations of used clothes from the general public.

“We have a drop box on the front porch of the Unity House on Main Street, directly across from Hainje’s Furniture,” Robinson said. “We really need the public’s help with this. Some families have two or three kids that need uniforms.”

Robinson said the process also helps curb the wasteful disregarding of uniforms that may be a year old, but still in good condition.

“We do uniforms and coats,” she said. “It’s a good process. Children get the clothes they need and children grow so fast that by Christmas they might be ready to recycle those.”

Although donations of uniforms for any school in Escambia County are welcome, Robinson said, right now, the biggest needs are coats and red uniform shirts for children attending Rachel Patterson Elementary School.

Donations are welcome all the way up until distribution time next Friday and Saturday. Robinson said parents may bring in uniforms to swapped or simply donated.

“We can usually do three uniforms per person,” she said. “We can give more sometimes and we have to cut back sometimes, depending on our supply.”

Robinson said a donation box is also set up at McNeal Express, just off Ashley Street.

For more information on how to donate or collect uniforms, calls may be directed to Robinson at 368-2733. Leslie Hill may also be contacted at 251-229-2263.

School uniforms needed include those used for Rachel Patterson Elementary School, A.C. Moore Elementary School, Pollard-McCall Elementary School, W.S. Neal Elementary School, Huxford Elementary School, Escambia County Middle School, Escambia County High School, Flomaton High School, W.S. Neal High School, W.S. Neal Middle School, Flomaton Elementary School and Pollard-McAll Junior High School.