By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

Elaine Fournier beamed as she walked through the trailer, fingering clothes hung neatly on racks and pointing to a shelf overflowing with picture books.
“Look at this stuff. Isn’t it great?” she said. “Isn’t this fantastic?”
Three months after she asked for help in making her dream come true, she is ready to go. In July, Fournier, a Saco school bus driver, asked for volunteers to help with her newly founded group, Open Hand, Open Hearts.
Her goal was – and is – simple: provide clothes for kids.
With a board of volunteers dedicated to soliciting and sorting donations, Fournier has set up shop in a leased trailer next to the Saco Food Pantry. The group depends largely on monetary and clothing donations from the community, as well as the hours volunteers spend preparing clothing to give away.
“We’ve been busy. The hours spent sorting through donations is amazing,” Fournier said while taking a break from sorting through bags and bins of clothing. “It’s truly, truly amazing. You don’t know what you’re going to get. We need to have people start coming.”
The clothing racks at Open Hands, Open Hearts are full, lined with shirts, pants, dresses, sweaters, pajamas, coats and snow pants. Also available are used shoes, books, toys, games and new school supplies to fill backpacks hanging nearby. Fournier said every child who comes in will take home a toy in addition to a bag full of clothes.
JoAnn Clikier of Saco has volunteered with the group since July. Now retired, she jumped at the opportunity to help her friend launch the charity. On Monday, she hung clothing on small hangers as she marveled over the donation of hand-knit sweaters, scarves and mittens. Each was pinned with a handwritten tag indicating the size.
“I’ve never seen such an accomplishment in three months,” she said while looking around the trailer. “You would think a whole year would have gone into it. It’s almost a full-time job for Elaine.”
Fournier is quick to point out that volunteers are the reason Open Hands, Open Hearts is ready to open Saturday. Another volunteer, Rita Lachance of Saco, sewed curtains for the trailer and helped Fournier sort through dozens of bags of clothing.
“I think it’s just wonderful,” Lachance said. “It’s filling a very bad need.”
Fournier, who often was in need of more clothing growing up, said she saw a need in the community and sought to address it. She spent time meeting with school officials and talking to food pantry patrons to see what needs they have. While she now focuses on providing clothes, she said she would like to expand the program to include birthday gifts and trips to summer camps for area children.
Fournier said families in need of clothing are welcome to come to Open Hands, Open Hearts to “poke around.” Volunteers will help families fill out a simple form with contact information and the ages and sizes of their children. Volunteers also will be on hand to help locate clothing or other items, such as strollers.
Fournier will ask each family to make a donation, whether they can afford a quarter or $5. They also are welcome to volunteer. Fournier said the goal is to be open 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The grand opening is 9 a.m. Saturday. An open house was held Wednesday.
“This place is for families, for people who are having a hard time making ends meet,” Fournier said. “I think people will be as generous as they can be. As things come in, they’ll go out again.”
Fournier and her volunteers are still ironing out details of how the clothing will be dispersed, though they said it is likely each child will take home at least three outfits, depending on their need. Families may be allowed extra clothing if there are large amounts of certain sizes available or their need is especially great.
“We’ll learn as we go,” Lachance said.
Fournier said she’s been amazed by the community’s generosity. In addition to the help of other board members Mary Moskowitz, Jackie Chaplain, Steve Burnette and Gloria Schwickrath, the group has been assisted by a long list of individuals and businesses. The Saco Food Pantry helped the group get up and running and continues to support its mission. Trades Center Inc. of Biddeford built a ramp to the trailer with materials donated by Correct Deck. The Blue Elephant of Saco catered the open house, Fournier said.
Open Hands, Open Hearts also received funds raised by Mike and Christine Paul and a donation from Old Orchard Beach High School. Fournier said volunteers are frequently handed cash donations –all greatly appreciated, she said – by people who have heard about the group’s mission.
Fournier, Lachance and Clikier said they look forward to seeing families come in and leave with the “beautiful” clothing they have to offer. Fournier said giving away clothing to needy families is emotional, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
 “It’s done with love,” she said. “We can’t wait for people to come in here.”

Open Hands, Open Hearts currently needs donations of winter jackets, hats, mittens, boots and warm blankets. For more information, call Elaine at 286-9939 and leave a message.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham may be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.