Longtime Boulder volunteer Ruth Hause will be recognized by the Oprah Winfrey Show as part of the audience for her work collecting and distributing warm coats in Boulder to those in need. The program is scheduled to air Friday, Nov. 19, and will feature an audience full of volunteers from across the country. Hause was nominated by the City of Boulder’s Department of Housing and Human Services’ Family Resource Schools Program with whom she partners to get winter wear to the lower income families this program serves.

Hause has been collecting, washing, sorting and distributing warm used coats and jackets through the Deacon’s Closet, an affiliate of First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, for 22 years.

“It is always rewarding when we receive a thank you from someone who we helped in a time of need,” Hause said. “Here at the Deacon’s Closet, we try to help everyone who needs assistance.”

In response to her invitation to attend the Oprah Winfrey Show, Hause said, “It is an honor to be recognized nationally. I hope this will let more people in Boulder know about the work we do and increase our donations. The need is growing this year, and donations are down.”

Hause was nominated by Magali Fredrick, the Family Resource School Coordinator at Creekside Elementary School.

“A lot of people play a part in helping the families we serve,” said Fredrick. “I am so happy one of these outstanding people is being appreciated by Oprah for her work.”

The Family Resource Schools Program is a joint partnership between the City of Boulder and the Boulder Valley School District to support families’ capacity to raise healthy, well-functioning and successful elementary-aged children. The program provides a broad array of prevention and early intervention services and emphasizes outreach to traditionally underserved populations to increase access to basic services and involvement in school.
SOURCE: City of Boulder press release