Hall Co. schools collecting winter clothing for refugee students

GAINESVILLE - Hall County School System officials say they have experience with providing essentials for underprivileged students, but this year they say the need is greater because of a large number of Central American refugee children who have enrolled in local schools.<br /> <br /> An estimated 100 students arrived in Hall County as part of an influx of unaccompanied children who came across the U.S. border with Central America.<br /> <br /> Superintendent Will Schofield said now that the weather has started to turn cooler, teachers are seeing these students arrive at school without coats and sweaters.<br /> <br /> "To make a long story short, we've got about a hundred of those kids in our school district who literally came to this country and were dropped here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs," said Schofield.<br /> <br /> To that end, volunteers within the school system began collecting winter clothing for the students last week, and they are trying to wrap up that clothing drive this week ahead of colder weather.<br /> <br /> "If it's a long-sleeved shirt, a coat, a sweater, a sweatshirt - for men or women - we sure do know some youngsters that are here and don't have anybody in this world who can put those clothes to good use," said Schofield.<br /> <br /> Clothing can be new or gently used, according to Schofield.<br /> <br /> Donations may be dropped off at the Hall County Central Office at 711 Green Street in Gainesville or at Lanier Charter Career Academy at 2723 Tumbling Creek Road in Oakwood.<br /> <br />