Students buy back-to-school clothing with Clothing for Confidence

“This awesome group of girls helped turn the idea of Clothing For Confidence into what it was,” Madison Rolling said. Organizers were, from left, Nicole McDuffie, Rolling, Amy Carden and Morgan Brazelle.

MADISON – Hundreds of students wore new back-to-school outfits, thanks to the Clothing for Confidence drive.

Madison Rolling, who graduated from Bob Jones High School in May, founded the drive for students in grades K-12 to have new clothing on the first day of school.

The clothing ‘store’ was set up at Inside-Out Ministries. “People were so generous. It was just amazing seeing the support of others in our community,” Rolling said.

Rolling and volunteers created a boutique look for hundreds of donations. “We wanted the shopping experience to be enjoyable for families,” Rolling said. Placed on donated racks, clothing was sorted for younger boys and girls (grades K-6) and older boys and girls (grades 7-12).

Students also browsed accessories tables with shoes, purses, ties, jewelry and hats.

“We were extremely blessed to have so many people willing to give. We sold over 600 items during the sale — only about half the donated items,” Rolling said. Shoppers paid $1 per item. Proceeds will return to the 2014 Clothing for Confidence to buy more clothing and perpetuate the drive.

The 15 or so volunteers included Bob Jones students, parents and church members. “We had multiple people at the register and checkout, as well as people just helping find the needed clothing and hanging clothes,” Rolling said.

Other shoppers “even went so far to ask how to donate their own clothes next year,” she said. “Seeing how grateful people were was very uplifting.”

Rolling and friends already are planning an expanded drive in 2014. “We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and are so excited to see where it goes in the future.”

In addition to Inside-Out Ministries, sponsors were Asbury Missions Department, Madison Rotary Club and Cotton Gin Boutique. “It wouldn’t have been possible without awesome support of the community,” Rolling said. She also acknowledged help from Morgan Brazelle, Amy Carden and Nicole McDuffie.

Rolling is studying industrial engineering at Auburn University. Her parents are Dennis Rolling and Terri Towry of Madison.