About The Student Clothes Closet
at The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades

Donating to the Student Clothes Closet

The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades provides a three-year, post-secondary trade education to financially-deserving students.  Each scholarship awarded includes tuition, room, meals and books for three years.  In return, students agree to adhere to Williamson’s values-based curriculum, as well as participate in the maintenance and daily operations of the campus keeping Williamson’s costs minimal compared to other institutions of higher learning.

A Williamson education is unique as students are required to attend 6:45 a.m. line-up and inspection followed by mandatory chapel services daily.  After a full day of academic courses and trade-related instruction, each student must retire to his dormitory room by 10:00 p.m.  A critical aspect of this rigorous curriculum is the School’s dress code.  Students must report for chapel, academic classes and meals wearing jacket and tie.  In shop training students are required to wear work clothing which conforms to each respective trade area.

Generally, Williamson students come from families who cannot afford the tuition costs at other post-secondary institutions.  In addition, the rigorous schedule they must follow at Williamson limits opportunity for part-time employment.  These factors often create financial difficulties for students in meeting the School’s required dress code.

To meet this need, Williamson has provided donated clothing to needy students on an as-needed basis through what has become known as the Student Clothes Closet.  In recent years, this program has grown from a small collection of used clothing made available to students in need to a virtual clothing store offering everything from suits and sport coats to dress socks and shoes.

The program’s significant growth can be attributed to a generous grant from The Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation and the dedication of volunteer project manager, Cheryl Reid, who solicits and accepts donations of new and used clothing from local businesses and alumni.  A team of enthusiastic volunteers works to clean, mend and display items as new.  The clothes are then made available to students on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.  Costs incurred for this project are minimal to pay for supplies and professional dry cleaning when needed. The Clothes Closet is open “for business” one or two days each week.  Program volunteers also provide alterations on an as-needed basis.

ABOUT THE HOXIE HARRISON SMITH FOUNDATION

Hoxie Harrison Smith, a Philadelphia attorney graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1908, and its Law School in 1911.

During World War I, Hoxie Harrison Smith saw active duty from 1913-1919, and after the war he and his wife, Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith, moved from Philadelphia to Radnor, PA.  He reached the rank of colonel, commanding Philadelphia’s renowned First City Troop and advanced the American Legion.

The Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation, part of a larger fund established in 1920 by Mr. Smith’s father, has been aiding local organizations for over 80 years.  Williamson is proud and grateful for the relationship the Foundation has with the School and its students.  For nearly forty years, the Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation has supported many important projects at Williamson such as Smith Cottage, the Horticulture Program, and the Machine Shop—to name just a few

.DONATING TO THE STUDENT CLOTHES CLOSET

Donations of new or gently used men’s clothing to the Clothes Closet can be delivered to the School’s Reception Office, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  For more information, call 610-566-1776 or e-mail creid@williamson.edu.