Despite his death in 2021, Willie Renshaw’s “Warm The Children” non-profit campaign lives on through the Kiwanis Club of Hopkinsville — every day a reminder the kids of Christian County are in need of warmth, comfort and care.
During an organizational update Thursday afternoon, Club President Nikki Chambers noted that roughly $8,000 of a $20,000 goal has been met — a goal that would allow and afford the assistance of 250 children.
It’s the history of the effort, however, that still stirs in the community.
Chambers said that Renshaw, a former long-time Kiwanian and talent for the Kentucky New Era, brought this idea into Christian County in 1995, having read about it unrolling two years prior in Connecticut.
The very first target, she added, was $16,000, and since its inception, more than $400,000 has been raised to help more than 5,000 kids along the way.
Clients get vetted not only through the Salvation Army of Hopkinsville, but also through the local family resource youth service centers, whom Chambers said “understand the needs” of families and their struggles.
This drive, she added, is cash-only — allowing for parents and guardians to get a lift through new clothing.
Dustin Thompson, treasurer and “Warm The Children” committee chair alongside Chambers and Dave Fernandez, said this program doesn’t just overlap with other Salvation Army services.
As such, it annually leads to major outreach, and assists those who maybe haven’t thought, or wanted, to ask for help.
Thompson noted the $80 per child is really more of an average cost than a representation. Younger children can be clothed with smaller contributions, while middle and high schoolers have more costs.
Regardless, he said donations and help from local and regional partners like the City of Hopkinsville, Huhtamaki and HWEA go a long, long way, and that “fundraising” during COVID-19 crested above $25,000 through more than 120 businesses and individuals.
An accountant by day, Thompson also offered up a unique option for those seeking more philanthropic choices with their investments.
Chambers said both the City of Hopkinsville and HWEA are pacesetters so far for this year, and that Key Club members from Hopkinsville High School, Christian County High School, University Heights Academy and Heritage Christian Academy will be helping the club during the shopping week — which has been planned for December 2-8.
From 5-7 PM that Monday through Friday, Chambers added that Walmart employees will have a “Warm The Children”-only cash register in the Lawn & Garden center. Then, that Saturday and Sunday, it will be from 3-5 PM.
Thompson and Chambers also noted that while donations do usually warm up prior to the big December shopping trip, cash for this annual drive is taken and earmarked specifically all year long, and that no particular Kiwanis fundraiser — be it the golf scramble or pancake breakfast — goes to this cause.
Donors can send money online through hopkinsvillekiwanis.com, or by sending a check made out to “Willie Renshaw’s Warm The Children” at PO Box 470, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 42240.
