Clothing charity needs help of its own

She’s not a packrat nor is she a clothes horse.

Hydler is the founder of and bundle of energy behind Cody’s Caring Clothing Charity.

Although the organization has grown in the amount of clothing it distributes, it’s facing a crisis when it comes to storing items between donation, sorting and distribution dates.

Free storage space previously donated by volunteers in two garages is gone, leaving Hydler scrambling for the money to pay for at least two storage units now costing $92 each a month.

“In order for the charity to continue, we need space each and every month for the weekly donations and for organizing the clothing, toys, shoes and equipment to prepare for future events,” she said.

“We need someone to come forward. Our dream is to have some type of storefront where people can come in,” Hydler said. “I am not going to stop doing the charity. I am going to find a way.”

Four distribution events a year are held at the Grace Church in Huber Heights. A special event is planned for from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Cloud Park.

During those events, clothing in all sizes for all ages is distributed usually for free but recently, for those who can afford, for 50 cents for a small garbage bag and $1 for a large garbage bag to help pay the storage expenses. At one event 900 garbage bags of clothing went out the door.

Hydler gets the clothing primarily from donations by used clothing stores Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child. Volunteers collect the donations and take them to the storage area to sort by size and bag.

“I love to help people. I love to pick it up, sort it and go through it,” Dana Caldwell, one of a dozen charity volunteers, said of the clothing. “People really need it. We have tons of people come.”

Hydler started the charity — named after her son Cody, who’ll be 3 this month — after buying baby clothes at yard sales for both genders before learning she was having a boy. She offered what she’d collected to friends and their friends and then decided to start the charity on Facebook. Thinking she’d get 100 people to like the page, she’s at 4,900.

Clothing and related items Cody’s Caring doesn’t distribute is passed on to shelters and to other charities overseas.

More information on the organization and a gofundme account is available on Facebook at codyscaringclothingcharity.