WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for all that you do. Being an expectant mother, the shopping spree was a true blessing to me. I am very grateful for all that you do. ~ Shopper (SBC Lancaster)
So excited for your Team and this new part of the Closet Ministry! ~ Mark Cianciosa (Five Stones)
What a blessing to so many people…! Thanks to all of U who made it happen…! ~ Barbara Whitaker (SBC Lancaster)
Thank you for doing this. You are a blessing to many! ~ Michelle Hines (FBC Warren)
“A special thank you The Closet Ministry for the great Prom Dress event. My daughter Jessie was one of the blessed recipients. She is so excited about her prom this coming Saturday! Thanks again and God Bless You!” ~ Cindy Brewer (Southbrook)
“The Closet Rocks!!… God is Good!! So Good!” ~ Michelle Simpson (Southbrook)
“How awesome to see so many lives touched!” ~ Amanda Webb (Southbrook)
“I had a great time- I believe in this mission.” ~ Ken Collins (Southbrook)
“It was an amazing day!!!” ~ Elizabeth Flowers (Southbrook)
“It was an honor to serve this weekend. I was blessed to be able to touch all the lives we did for the glory of God. From Yolanda & her sister, to 87 yr young woman. All the other people I worked side by side with. I was humbled by what God has done. We are His hands & feet bringing His love to His community.” ~ Kathleen Colpaert (Southbrook)
“I was able to serve both days this past weekend at the Closet. I served the first day and my family served with me the second day. Although I was behind the scenes the majority of the time and was unable to see who was being served, it was an honor and blessing to serve along side so many wonderful people including my children. The volunteers on Sunday brought so much joy to my heart for such a worthy cause and I was able to witness how an army can do great things for God. It was joy to be a part of.” ~ Lori Mazzucco (Southbrook)
“Thanks again for the opportunity to serve, it was truly amazing to see all of those families served. Praise God!” ~ Denise Rosato (Southbrook)
“Being there to witness all the hard work and giving was a blessing!!!” ~ Jean Allen (Southbrook)
“Beautiful girls and a top notch event. Great job!” ~ Tonya Swick (Southbrook)
“This is going to be an awesome ministry!!!” ~ Lisa Main (FBC Vandalia)
“It was awesome! I can’t wait for the next one!!!!” ~ Jennifer Ellis (FBC Vandalia)
“You guys are fabulous!!! I’m so proud to be part of your church family.” ~ Lualice Willis (FBC Vandalia)
MAKING AN IMPACT
Written by: Deanna Baucom, Prom Project Guest – The Closet @ Southbrook Church
“Thank you so much to The Closet Ministry for the wonderful Prom Project you put on. I never thought I would be on the receiving side of things. God has humbled me and used each of you to bless me and my family in ways you will never understand. The event was wonderful and one I hope I will be able to volunteer to help you with next year. Keep reaching as many as possible through your awesome ministry. God has His hand on it.”
Written by: Carol Taylor, Volunteer – The Closet @ Southbrook Church
“What an impact the Closet is already having at Southbrook and beyond. I am so blessed by being part of it. My moment (actually 2 moments) First is the little girl I saw pick up a pretty yellow dress off the floor and carry it around hoping her mother would let her keep it. It was obviously far too big for her but it didn’t matter. She had fallen in love with it. I saw her a few times still carrying it with such care but I didn’t see her as she left. I do hope she got to take it home, but if she didn’t I know that she enjoyed her visit to the Closet because of that yellow dress.”
“Second moment – helping a young pregnant girl and her mother find baby clothes. I believe she began to look forward to the birth of her baby as the mountain of items grew.”
Written by: Tim Gritzuk, Volunteer – The Closet @ Southbrook Church
“It is such a blessing to see the people that walk in not knowing what to expect. And when you tell them that all of the clothes are free, their faces just light up. It is such a humbling and yet fulfilling experience to be a part of.”
Written by: Cindy Hicks, Coordinator – The Closet @ First Baptist Church Vandalia
“The Closet Ministry has opened my eyes to what people are needing and the hurting that may need to be healed that we can help them through. Someone that is working on that shopping day may have been there done that. We all have been through some things that we didn’t understand at first and now know that it was to help someone else through the same thing. Also to show that we care and love them in whatever way that they need at the time. I love The Closet Ministry!”
Written by: Lisa Hale, Volunteer – The Closet @ Southbrook Church
“Thank you for allowing me to tell you how The Closet has impacted me.
The very first free shopping day The Closet offered, I was there to document the event by taking pictures, As I snapped pictures of people unaware that I was there, a lady caught my eye, when I took her picture; she stopped and looked right at me. Instantly, just like the click of my camera, I was wide awake. What was her life story? I asked if she’d allow me to video tape an interview with her. She agreed, but wanted to talk privately off camera first, I thought perhaps she wanted to make sure that whatever she said was worth recording it on video.
She went on to tell me that she was currently living at the battered women’s shelter. She had snuck away from her abusive husband just days before with only the clothes she was wearing. She cut her hair very short so that her husband and his friends wouldn’t recognize her. She was very appreciative for the opportunity to start fresh at the shelter and how grateful she was at the perfect timing to be able to shop for new clothes.
When she was ready, I pressed the record button to begin the interview; she froze and couldn’t think of anything to say. I told her what she had just told me would be great, but she couldn’t get the words out. As it turned out this was something that only I had the privilege of knowing. As we parted ways, I thought to myself – Was God behind that “personal” interview?
I was once married to someone that was physically and mentally abusive many years ago, he wasn’t like that before we were married, but it’s a secret that I keep deep inside, hoping that I’ll eventually forget, but knowing I won’t. I thank God for keeping me safe and protecting me from some really awful things.
I know God put me there on THAT particular day, to open my eyes to all the blessings he offers. My life has been impacted in so many ways since I began serving for “Him” (who knew serving, would be so rewarding).”
