Kylie E. Romanchick

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First Posted: 11/16/2013 WILKES-BARRE &#8212; For a 10-year-old, Madison Klick has things pretty well covered when it comes to helping people.
The fifth grader of Bear Creek Community Charter School finished her third annual coat and blanket collection and filled 37 boxes that were delivered Thursday night to the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and Ruth&#8217;s Place. It was her largest collection yet.
Soft spoken and shy, Madison &#8220;Madi&#8221; Klick, offered a simple answer to why she does it.
&#8220;I just want to keep people warm,&#8221; she said.
She had help from her mom Kim and others placing the collection boxes at the school and 12 other locations in the Wilkes-Barre area for the drive held in October. They circulated flyers and spread the word by social media, accounting for the big response this year.
&#8220;They knew more about it,&#8221; Madi said.
She had the idea to start the drive after donating her clothes and toys to the area&#8217;s needy three years ago. This year she sought unwanted sweaters, sweatshirts, coats and blankets for children and adults.
Although her mom lent a hand, she credited her daughter with the drive&#8217;s success.
&#8220;She always says she wants to change the world,&#8221; said her mother.
She added that her daughter takes smalls steps, volunteering at Tracey&#8217;s Hope hospice and rescue for domestic animals in Duryea and sharing the Scriptures with friends.
&#8220;She holds her own Bible class at our house,&#8221; Kim Klick said.
The drive attracted the attention of Wilkes-Barre City Councilman George Brown, who presented her with a proclamation at council&#8217;s Nov. 7 meeting.
The proclamation read in part that council and the city &#8220;recognizes Madison Klick for her wonderful initiative&#8221; in establishing the drives.
This year was the first time Ruth&#8217;s Place benefited, said Kristen Topolski, director of the women&#8217;s shelter in Wilkes-Barre.
When the boxes were delivered the women were excited and pulled out the coats sizing them up for each other, Topolski said. A few filled boxes remained on Saturday.
That a grade school student could take on so much responsibility conducting the drive impressed Topolski who was thrilled to have the shelter included.
&#8220;It&#8217;s remarkable that she&#8217;s able to pull this all together,&#8221; Topolski said.

Fifth grader holds third annual coat and blanket drive