Plainfield Students Launch Hopeful Threads Closet

During the 2024-25 school year, four sophomores and juniors at Plainfield High School were tasked with a class project.

The AP with WE Service program is a College Board initiative that asks students to connect what they’ve learned in the course with a service project that gives back to their community.

They came to Bridget Luce, mental health coordinator at Plainfield High School, with an idea to start a clothes closet at the school.

“They wanted to ask me if I thought it was a good idea and get an understanding of the need in our school. We have a student assistance fund from the Class of 1968 that I use to buy outfits for students if they need some for school,” Luce said. “There’s more of a need than many realize. They might not have shoes, or their shoes are in such bad condition they need to be replaced.”

The clothes closet they’re calling Hopeful Threads will be open this fall, and it’s not just for students in need.

In fact, the more people got involved, the more it developed into something every student could enjoy.

“It’s for all needs — not just a student who might not have something, but if you spill something on your shirt or if you don’t have a coat, you can stop by and pick one out. They’ll also have toiletries,” Luce said.

There will be a sheet to sign out what you took anonymously so the students can replace items as the year goes on, but Luce said part of the beauty of it is more students are willing to ask for help when needed and are sharing what’s going on in their lives — taking away some of the stigma that used to be there.

If you ask Lori Lee, president of the Plainfield Kiwanis Club, Hopeful Threads is going to be downright popular.

“There were a lot of things happening at the same time. The Kiwanis Club was looking for a signature project in the schools. One of our members, Nicole Schmitt, had heard about Hopeful Threads and suggested the idea,” Lee said. “By the time we’re done, I think it’ll be like a little boutique. We’ve bought coat racks, dressers, shelving and a beautiful mirror. The girls have strung lights with a remote control and everything matches. It looks really cool.”

Word got around, and others started donating too.

In addition to the clothing drive Plainfield High School students held earlier this year, Bryan Bowling, supervisor at Dick’s Sporting Goods, donated their stock from last year, giving the school brand new North Face coats, fleece, shoes, boots, gloves, hats and more.

“The girls found leftover stock from Walgreens, and now they have a bunch of Plainfield attire in there too. I think the cool kids are going to use it, and other businesses and community members are going to want to jump on board,” Lee said.

The new principal at Plainfield High School is one Lee said has been on board from the beginning.

“I’m so proud of the four AP Seminar students who took part in the AP with WE Service program and used it as a springboard to create a comfort closet here at PHS,” said Brent Schwanekamp. “They saw a need, came up with a plan and made it happen. That’s the kind of leadership and heart we love to see in our students. Huge thanks to the Plainfield Kiwanis and our awesome community for stepping up and supporting them every step of the way.”

Luce said luckily, the four will return for the 2025-26 school year, giving them a chance to get others involved.

“They will oversee the stock while they’re here, and we’ve talked about getting different clubs or teams to take two weeks or a month to volunteer to update inventory so it can continue on,” Luce said.

As the new school year approaches, the students are still sorting through all of the clothing donations, washing them, organizing and putting the final touches on the closet. They aren’t collecting clothes at this time but will intermittently advertise when needed.

What they do need is additional toiletries.

“If anyone wants to drop off shampoo, toothpaste, socks and things like that, they can come to the guidance office or drop off at Door 1,” Luce said.

Perhaps most inspiring — the girls have created a legacy for not only their high school but for other schools in the area.

“We’re supporting a clothes closet at 11 schools — all Plainfield elementary schools, the middle school and at four Cascade schools too,” Lee said. “There’s a chairman assigned to each school, and it’s just been amazing to work with these counselors at each school and collect the top five things they need.”

The Plainfield Kiwanis Club now has more than 100 members, and they routinely donate and give back to the community. This is simply another way to get involved. Whether one school requests a few shelves with socks and toiletries or another creates an entire closet like Plainfield High School is doing, they’re up for the challenge.

“There’s been a need in our schools for years, and we weren’t sure how to do it, but these four at PHS are go-getters. They made it happen and achieved their goal,” Lee said. “We’re excited to get more people involved as we move forward.”

Hopeful Threads will be located down an academic hallway in an old office room near the current guidance office on the Plainfield High School campus.