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NEW TAMPA
There's a little known shoe fairy in Hillsborough County. Her name is Pat Naegle Close and, actually, she volunteers to buy shoes for school students in need.
Close is among about 40 people countywide who donate their time with the OASIS Network, an organization that helps provide basic necessities, such as clothing, shoes and hygiene items for underprivileged children in local schools.
"I get to sort of be the shoe fairy for kids — I love that," Close said. "I buy a pair of shoes today, and a child is wearing them tomorrow."
OASIS (an acronym for Outreach Assisting Students in Schools) was founded in 2001 by Lynn Gruber and Terry Wolford. The New Tampa moms saw that their own children's schools already were blessed with volunteers and enough funds, so they volunteered at a school in a high poverty area.
"They saw those kids had nothing, no parent volunteers, no PTA. They realized schools like that could use so much of our excess," said Ginger Bean, now executive director for OASIS. She began as a volunteer when the organization was formed.
Today, the group has donation sites in New Tampa, East Tampa and South Tampa. OASIS also is seeking a location in the Brandon/Plant City area. The county is willing to provide a portable in that area for donated supplies, but OASIS needs committed volunteers to manage the site, Bean said.
The group began by working with a few underserved schools but now serves the entire Hillsborough County district. Last year, OASIS provided items to more than 11,000 students, Bean said.
Still, many in the community are unaware of OASIS. The organization is unique in that it was set up specifically to help social workers seeking to fulfill students' needs, explained Ken Gaughan, supervisor of Social Work Services for Hillsborough County schools.
In the beginning, the founders approached Gaughan, who was instrumental in building the partnership between his office and the volunteer organization.
"Many schools had a closet of items donated primarily from faculty, but it never really met the need," said Gaughan, who believes that OASIS is filling a niche in the school system.
Today the nonprofit organization collects donations of gently used clothing and basic essentials, then sorts and stocks all items in three locations (two portables and a classroom provided by the county) that are set up like thrift stores. When social workers see a need, they visit one of the locations, pick up the necessary items and distribute them to the child's family.
"A social worker told me of a time when she brought some clothes to a little girl and noticed the child didn't have any underwear on," Bean said. "Sometimes we provide basic necessities that we all take for granted."
Sustained by support from volunteers and organizations such as the New Tampa Rotary and the Tampa Palms Women's Club, OASIS receives financial support from local foundations, grants and individual contributions.
Operating on a budget of $100,000 a year, the organization spends about 70 percent of that on supplies for students, such as new school uniforms, shoes, belts or hygiene items including soap, shampoo and toothbrushes. The rest pays three part-time employees, including Bean.
Volunteers do everything from picking up donations at drop boxes to sorting items and purchasing supplies.
"A lot of OASIS volunteers are moms like me," said Close, who at times sorts through donations and stocks shelves with her kids, ages 11 and 13. "I love that my kids help me with it. … My kids are learning to give at an elementary age. That's a life lesson."
OASIS sometimes receives support from schools and church groups that host donation drives. Still, the organization never has enough school uniforms for all the children who need them. Also, boys'- and men's-size pants, as well as hoodie sweatshirts are always in low supply, said Bean.
"Every child feels good about having a new set of shoes or clothes, especially when maybe they've been wearing something that doesn't fit," said Gaughan. "Kids who are more comfortable can learn easier. … When we can help a family with clothing in particular, it gives them a lot of hope."
Elizabeth Miller can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.
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