The Claus Project provides Klein ISD children with coats and clothes.[/caption]

Hoping to keep Klein ISD students warm during the chilly holiday season, community members have partnered with the district for The Claus Project, a program that provides coats, clothing and undergarments to KISD students.

Residents can donate coats, sweaters, sweatshirts and polo-style shirts as well as unworn socks, underwear and shoes to The Claus Project on Nov. 5-7 at the Klein ISD Multipurpose Center during The Claus Market.

The Claus Project founder Anne Donelson said she hopes to present the Klein ISD Education Foundation at the event with more than 1,200 pieces of clothing—the number the organization donated last year. KISD will then anonymously distribute the items to local students in need before the winter break.

“Hopefully the project will keep growing,” Donelson said. “I’m hoping to work with a few more schools in the future.”

Donelson began the The Claus Project five years ago. She was driving her children to the bus stop one morning when she noticed about five children walking to the bus stop without a coat, giving her an idea to start the project.

“The first thing I did when we were moving from the Midwest was throw away our big coats,” Donelson said. “Then [my kids] came to me said they need a coat because it’s cold. I thought, ‘How cold can it be? It’s Texas.’”

Socks and underwear donated to The Claus Project must be in the original packaging. The coats, sweaters, polo-style shirts must be one solid color without a label, logo, embroidery or design showing. No hoodie donations will be accepted.

The Claus Market, which was founded by Donelson to help boost the influence of The Claus Project, features a weekend of shopping and a live Santa Claus at the KISD Multipurpose Center, located at 7500 FM 2920, Spring. The first year of the event, the market will include vendors who have purses, clothing, jewelry and home decor for sale. Santa Claus will be available for selfies.

Admission to the Claus Market costs $5.

For more information visit www.clausproject.com.