2026 Winter Clothing Swap

  • Posted January 28, 2026
Two students hold up shirts they found during the clothing swap in the ORMS concert hall pose

Seventh-grade students show off their finds during the winter clothing swap.

by Kate MacLeod

Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) held its annual winter clothing swap on Friday, January 22, an event organized by the ORMS Sustainability Club and supervised by Sara O’Brien and Lynn Ellsworth to support students and promote environmentally friendly habits. The club has hosted similar swaps in previous years, and the tradition continued this winter with strong participation from the school community.

Throughout January, Sustainability Club members collected gently used winter clothing from students, families, and staff. This year, the club gathered an impressive 1,271 items, ranging from sweaters and jackets to hats, gloves, and other cold‑weather essentials. By the time the swap opened, tables were filled with neatly sorted piles of clothing in a wide range of sizes and styles.

Students visited the swap throughout the day, browsing the tables for items that fit their needs or matched their personal style. Many enjoyed the excitement of finding something “new” to wear, and several left with multiple pieces they were eager to show their friends. Sixth grader Marita Fischer was thrilled to find two peach‑colored items and said she “thinks they will go well with a lot of her outfits.” The atmosphere was upbeat as students compared finds, offered suggestions, and even began sporting their new pieces right away. 

The Sustainability Club hosted the event to promote reuse and support students who may need winter clothing. An excited sixth-grade member explained, “We’re doing it because some kids don’t have access to winter clothes, and also for people who are doing closet cleanouts, so their clothes can go to new homes rather than the landfill.” Eighth‑grade member Maeve Hardy added that “creating clothing requires lots of water, so secondhand clothing reduces the amount of water usage.” The swap gave students a hands‑on way to participate in sustainable practices while also helping their peers.

The winter clothing swap once again brought ORMS students together in a positive and meaningful way. The Sustainability Club hopes to continue the tradition in future years as part of its ongoing effort to promote environmental awareness and community support.

A student is shown holding a sweater found during the Swap Shop.

Marita Fischer poses with a peach-colored cardigan she found during the clothing swap.