The Maxima clothing banks in Groningen are supported by students from the Harens Lyceum in their campaign for winter coats and shoes.
Four students from the Harens Lyceum will do their best in the near future to raise as much money as possible for the benefit of poor Groningen children. “On the street, online, by going to companies,” says 17-year-old Levi ter Wee.
Master’s thesis
He is one of the 4 students. Mart Lettenga, Robin Miedema and Ivar Smit are the others. They are in the final graduating class and have to conduct research for the subject Research and Design, a so-called Master’s Thesis.
“You can do that behind your desk, but we wanted to go out,” says Levi. “While looking for a topic, we heard about the campaign for winter coats and shoes for children, from the Kledingbank Maxima. From a teacher who lives next to the chairman of that Clothing Bank.”
‘Too many children are not that lucky’
That action was the subject they were looking for, it appealed to them immediately. It gives them the opportunity to go out. “And we support its purpose. We have a good coat and shoes. They don’t have too many children in Groningen. We want to raise as much money as possible for them.”
The beginning is here: 31 euros and 45 cents. Levi collected that amount during his first trip through Haren. “For us, I am the one who goes out into the street, speaks to people, rings the doorbell and tells them about our action. I will do that more often in the near future.”
Hoping for 500 euros
His ‘fellow fighters’ each also have their task. Robin raises money online, Ivar asks companies for a contribution. Mart wants to find out why people do or do not give an amount. That ‘psychological’ research also has its place in the final report, the Master’s Thesis. A test that should help them pass the exam, but above all also earn them money. “We hope for 500 euros,” says Levi.
Henk Slagter is happy with the efforts of the students. He is the neighbor of the teacher, the chairman of the Maxima Groningen Clothing Banks Foundation. This includes 7 separate clothing banks that provide free clothing to poor Groningen residents. Clothing that they receive second hand, among other things.
Last winter 1500 coats were distributed
These branches (in Groningen, Winschoten, Veendam, Sappemeer, Grootegast, Appingedam and Winsum) together have 8,000 customers. “Among them 3,000 children,” says Slagter. “However, we receive little second-hand children’s clothing because it wears out quickly. And while good clothing is important for a child, poor clothing can lead to bullying behavior. That’s why we had our first fundraiser 2 years ago that raised 7,000 euros and for which we bought and gave away winter coats. Last year, a similar campaign raised 20,000 euros. Then we were able to give away 1,500 coats.”
This winter it’s all about jackets but also shoes. “We distribute flyers and draw attention to our campaign in other ways,” says Slagter. “We hope again for a lot of money and for people to donate new coats and shoes directly.”