Elma Beary wants everyone to take part in what has now become a summer tradition in Chimacum - to look in their closets for clothes kids have outgrown in anticipation of the big Back to School Clothes Swap.

"Yes, we need to get ready for the big event," she said of the annual clothes swap, which is set this year for 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22 at Chimacum Elementary School's multipurpose room.

Donations of clean, ready-to-wear clothing for boys and girls in sizes 5-16 as well as shoes and backpacks can be donated between 1 and 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21 at the school.

Because the school is currently open for a summer program, people can drop off clothes before then at the multipurpose room.

But for those who want to get credit for the donation in the form of a coupon that can then be used to shop for free on Aug. 22, they need to drop off items on that Thursday or Friday.

For every item donated, people receive a coupon. Those coupons can then be exchanged - swapped, if you prefer - one coupon for one item.

If you don't have anything to donate, that's OK: Without a coupon, each piece of clothing costs $1 at the swap that Saturday.

While the event is now a summer tradition, born out of the 2008 economic downturn, word has been spreading beyond Jefferson County, Beary said.

"People come from Sequim and Port Angeles. It's just amazing," she said. "People know it's on and they are looking forward to it. People from other areas think it's a fantastic idea."

So fantastic, she learned recently, that other communities are planning similar back-to-school events.

"It's definitely needed," Beary said of the swap, which started seven years ago as the local economy was in a tailspin.

The idea has caught on, and so now people are saving items to donate, she said.

"We have some wonderful donations already," she said, adding, "We also have a lot of lost and found items."

The event has brought in revenue to the PTA, of which Beary is still a member, even though her son graduated years ago.

As is also a tradition now, items left over from last year's sale were donated to foster-care families. Beary said that any leftover clothes this year again are to be boxed up and given to foster families.

Volunteers are needed. Anyone who would like to volunteer or donate clothes during hours other than those listed can contact Beary for information at 301-6616 or elmabeary@gmail.com.

To volunteer

Contact Elma Beary at 301-6616 or elmabeary@gmail.com for information or to volunteer.