Kritti’s Closet: A caring community’s creation


By Amanda Tonoli

atonoli@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

In Room 102, Fitch High School students can find necessities from jeans, Falcon-wear and business attire to school supplies and personal-hygiene products.

Kritti’s Closet, the school’s Family and Community Career Leaders of America group project coming to fruition, is a resource for students in need of a little help.

The effort got its spark from Family and Consumer Science teacher Donna Burnell’s admirable ambition in memory of a family member.

She said the project started with her and Principal Chris Berni discovering a student sneaking out of school in the afternoon. Upon investigating, they found the student was going home to take care of siblings.

“That’s not something we want our kids to have to think about, because how are we supposed to tell this student, ‘You really need to focus on algebra. We know you’re hungry. We know you’re worried about your family, but really, algebra is important,’” Burnell said.

A phone call soon after revealed her student’s situation and pushed Burnell to action.

“My sister-in-law passed away a year ago of a brain aneurysm – it was tragic. But my brother called and said, ‘I need to get rid of Kritti’s clothes, but I want them to go to good use, someone who needs them,’” Burnell said. “I thought, ‘Not only could we help one student, but we could fulfill the obvious need to help many students.’”

What was a mere idea and a small collection of donated clothes in November will open Tuesday with shelves stocked full of everyday items available to students from students – free of charge.

Burnell didn’t conquer this challenge on her own, however; she incorporated students who wanted to give back to others, as well. An emotional Taylor Pipoly, a senior, wiped her reddened eyes, finding it both sad to think her peers have to go without and happy to be a part of the project to make sure they don’t any more.

“I get very emotional – I love watching the students help each other,” Burnell said. “They’re good kids doing good things.”

Pipoly said Kritti’s Closet isn’t for any specific student, but any student who finds themselves in need of something the closet can provide.

“It’s just great if someone needs something they can come here and get it, even if it’s over a spill at lunch,” Pipoly said.

Kritti’s Closet is available to students during their lunches. Both students and Burnell encourage all of their Falcon family to check it out.

One thing the founding group of Kritti’s wants to combat is shame.

“We don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed coming here,” Pipoly said. “That’s not what we did it for. We did it to help people and not make them feel like any less of a person.”

Burnell agreed and said there was no definition of need students have to meet in order to take advantage of Kritti’s services.

“We are just trying to take care of the whole student,” Burnell said.

For students who don’t feel comfortable going during their lunch, the Fitch guidance counselors have access to the room and can make the experience more discreet.

In addition to outerwear and supplies, Kritti’s Closet also offers a Crock-Pot program.

Students can sign out one of the 12 crock pots for the year and take home a variety of prepared or frozen meals Burnell’s classes have worked on.

“They’re going to learn Crock Pot 101,” she said. “They’ll learn how to take care of them and how to use them. We’re trying to incorporate as many foods as we can.”

Burnell said her sister-in-law, Kristine “Kritti” Burnell-Stickler, was such a giver that she even gave after death. Kritti was an organ donor and was able to save seven lives.

“I really think this is a good way to honor her,” Burnell said.

She said she hopes to see Kritti’s grow and carry on a legacy of giving, compassionate students.

Donations of clothes, school supplies and more can be made at the Fitch High School office. Donations also can be made through gofundme.com/krittikloset.

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