Jeremy Spaulding is the community coordinator for the Grand County School District.
Starting this fall, Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School will be providing a new resource for its students called the Thunderbirds Nest. Located across from the main office in the north hallway of the ground floor, The Nest will be a space where students can come for needed clothing, shoes, warm weather gear, for resources on community programs, and school supplies. It will also be the home of the Thunderbucks Student Store!
Following suit with spaces across the state, MLHMS is excited to offer this resource for students to give and receive necessities and do so in a way that removes stigma: MLHMS is proud to house a resource that teaches students the joy of supporting one another, removes barriers to learning, and helps students to feel confident and comfortable.
The Nest also gives students a venue to reduce their impact on the planet by providing a second home for clothing items that weren’t needed, were quickly outgrown, or are unwanted but still in great shape. The goal of this space is for all students to feel welcome to donate, and to take what they’ll use! Those with means are encouraged to utilize the space, but are asked to pay it forward with an item they no longer wear when they find something they like. This is a space that celebrates caring for one another and reduces waste—and it’s fun to use!
The space looks and feels like a boutique, with student-made graffiti art (created with help from Denver artist Chris Haven), warm lighting, carpeted floors, and well-organized racks and shelving. We hope that the clothing, shoes, coats, and accessories we offer are of the same quality.
Starting this week, we’ll be looking for donations to fill the space and will be accepting resale quality items. To support the Nest we’re looking for resale quality clothing for all genders and in many sizes. This includes: t-shirts, dress shirts, sun shirts and sporting gear, tank tops, jackets, rain coats, sweatshirts, sweaters, blouses, shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses. We are looking for footwear, including: tennis shoes, boots, dress shoes, and sandals. We also accept: gloves, hats (beanies, ball caps, sun hats, bucket hats, etc), scarves, purses, backpacks, and belts. If you have unused toiletries and quality school supplies we are also looking for select items.
In addition to items for the free store space, we are also in search of a few volunteers who can spend a couple of hours each month helping us to sort through items and keep an inventory for the space.
Those who are interested in helping to volunteer can contact Jeremy Spaulding, GCSD Community Coordinator at spauldingj@grandschools.org. If you have a clothing donation, you can drop it at the Middle School front desk during school hours: Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please join us for a grand opening of the space on August 9 during back to school night from 5 to 7 p.m.! We hope you’ll support this space!
