Need clothes? Come and take your pick at the “La Conner Cares Free Clothing Event” next Monday, Aug. 31, 12-5 p.m. at the parking lot between Crescent Moon Yoga Studio and the La Conner Library, 606 Morris Street.

Clothes for people of all ages, including new baby clothing, will be available for the taking. There will be about four truck loads estimates Jan Paul, president of the La Conner Soroptimist club. “We have gotten clothing. My garage is half full. (Rotarian) Marty Pease’s garage is half full,” she said.

“This is getting clothing to those people who need it,” with people self-defining their needs.

COVID-19 public health guidances will be followed by volunteers and everyone attending. Parking will be on streets and the Friends of the Library Thrift Shop.

Clothes were collected in mid-August by the local service organizations: Soroptimists, Rotary, Kiwanis, PEO (Philanthropic Educational Opportunities) and OPAL and the La Conner Chamber of Commerce. The groups created La Conner United at the end of July. Their first project was cleaning the picnic tables and benches on First Street and Conner Waterfront Park last week.

Their purpose is to actively support businesses in La Conner and meet other identified needs. After food and housing, clothing is a critical need, Paul said. The Monday event is a way to meet it.

Assisting business community

Women from Kiwanis, Rotary and Soroptimists surveyed First Street merchants in late July, asking how they might help, Pease told the Weekly News. The suggestion to make First Street more attractive led to the Aug. 17 cleaning party of some 10 mostly women wiping down benches and picnic tables all the way south to Conner Waterfront Park. Public Works staff assisted with the water supply.

“Instead of always asking for donations we want to reciprocate and create some good will,” Pease said.