Clayton, Georgia, is in Rabun County, northeast Georgia, in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Richard’s Kids began one day in the late 1990’s when Richard Powers, a retired fire fighter, visited an elementary school in Rabun County. He witnessed a young boy carrying his lunch tray while trying to keep his hand-me-down pants from falling. Richard’s heart was touched and he inquired of a teacher as to how he might help the boy. He was told that many students in our area only had hand-me-down clothing, so there were many who needed help.

Richard and his wife, Sarah, soon formed the organization known today as Richard’s Kids. When donations began to come to Richard and Sarah, Richard asked Pat Henry, a retired accountant, to be the treasurer for the group and to maintain financial records. Local school teachers, administrators and other interested individuals stepped in to form a board of directors. The idea and size of the organization grew and in 2004 “Richard’s Kids, Inc” received IRS approval as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit corporation. Richard and Sarah are the CEO and CFO, respectively, and Pat Henry is the Treasurer of this Georgia registered non-profit corporation. The RK board currently consists of Carolyn Dillard (President), Candie Moore (Secretary), Linda Jones (Member), Vicki Lynn (Member), Brooke Waldroop (Member), Gary Elzey (Asst Treasurer), and Pat Henry (Treasurer).

Today the RK organization functions primarily at Christmas (and to a lessor extent when children return to school each fall). Rabun County Preschool, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School teachers and counselors confidentially identify children most in need of assistance. (Parents cannot just apply.) When parents accept the invitation to receive assistance, a Richard’s Kids representative meets individual parents at our local Clayton Walmart to shop for their child’s needs. The parents then present these gifts to their child at Christmas. RK representatives assure that all purchases are within RK guidelines (clothing, shoes, jackets, etc). Walmart has been a very good partner to see that legitimate purchases are not later returned for merchandise outside of RK guidelines.

In past years Richard’s Kids has usually helped 400-500 children, spending approximately $100 per child. The number helped was scaled back during 2020 & 2021 due to Covid limitations and virtual learning situations. The need still exists, and with current inflationary pressures we will surely need to increase our average spending per child. We strive to not only provide children in need with warm and protective clothing, but also to raise their personal self esteem and help them become better students.