Local church donates washer and dryer to Coquillard Elementary School

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- Christ Temple Apostolic Church donated a brand new washing machine and dryer to Cocquillard Elementary School on Wednesday. The donation is to ensure that every student has a clean uniform.

 When DeVetta Farrow took over as principal in 2017, she was taken back by the amount of students she saw who were not wearing their proper uniform.

“The excuse all the time was my mom, this is not our wash time, or we ran out of money, or ran out of clothes,” said Farrow.

The lack of clean clothes also lead to behavioral issues and absences from school.

“You don’t think about the fact that they’re not clean,” said Charles Jamerson, Restorative Justice Coach for Coquillard. “You don’t think about the fact that what took place last night, might be affecting what’s going on today.”

Seeing this need moved community leaders to spring into action, donating a brand new washing machine and dryer to Coquillard.

“I didn’t really associate the cleanliness of the clothes to confidence until a light bulb just when off and I was just like ‘Man, this is a huge need,’” said Jim McKinnies, Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Chruch.

Students will now be able to get their uniforms cleaned for free. Farrow says this new washing machine and dryer will be a game changer for Coquillard.

“We know that when those kids come in and they look good, they feel good, and they’re going to exude confidence,” said Farrow.