To Serve Others

Gina Dingman

Scripture teaches us that we are to serve others as Christ served us. Your 1st Pres Neighborhood Closet truly represents the service of care that Matthew is speaking about.  So, let’s meet some of the volunteers who keep the Closet going day in and day out by living out Christ’s example of grace through their service of care.

We will start with our Office/Reception staff, Naomi White and Susie Olsen.  These two ladies answer all the incoming calls and set appointments for the families that visit the closet. They gather the family information regarding children’s names, their ages, the school they attend and what needs the family might have.

Our Volunteer Coordinators, Carol Mitchell and Marcy Clutter, line up volunteers to assist with the shopping experience at the Closet. Carol said, “One of the pleasures of working in the Closet is when a child comes in for a shopping appointment and for the very first time gets to choose what items he or she would like to try on and possibly take home. Some find it truly overwhelming as they have not had this experience before. Later when they try on the item and look in the mirror, you see the delight in their face.”

Marcy Clutter, the other volunteer coordinator spoke about her experience volunteering in the Closet. “It’s difficult to express what volunteering at Love 1st Community Closet means to me. I’ve listened to and prayed with folks whose harrowing stories of fleeing domestic abuse, water damage keeping a family from their home, grandmothers taking in grandchildren, single mothers struggling, etc. remain forefront on my mind. But one moment that stands out is a sweet little girl finding a new outfit she loved that came with a necklace. She put it on, looked at herself over and over in the mirror, gave me a hug and wore it out the door proudly.  Love 1st is parents and guardians expressing tearful gratitude and kids receiving a boost of self-confidence during a difficult time.” 

Our congregation's GENEROSITY is an act of love for these children.  Our ‘young customers’ are even excited about the large shopping bags in which they take home their new items. It is a humbling and rewarding experience to volunteer at our 1st Pres ​Closet. It reminds me of how fortunate most of us are.

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Gina Dingman

 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”.

Matthew 25:31-40

Next, meet Jan Morris, our Lead Shopper. Jan directs our shoppers to scour the community and online stores for the best clothing deals our dollars can buy.  She instructs them in all the details of styles, sizes, and the number of items to purchase.  Jan shared her experience with the Closet, “The Shoppers have been busy filling in inventory holes as clients, the children, excitedly gather their back-to-school clothes, outerwear, and footwear.  I love shopping for these kids; we are definitely doing God’s work in helping these children feel equal to their schoolmates with new, fresh, and necessary clothing and personal items.  We often get clients who have never been shopping in their lives, and to see their faces light up while hand-picking items to their heart’s desire always makes me feel warm.  They often have very tough lives to live, but liking how they look fills a necessary place in their hearts.  The Closet is simply an amazing experience.”

Megan Marvel, along with many other volunteers, arrives at the assigned time of the shopping appointment and takes on the role of the personal shoppers (closeteers) for the children and their families. She assists with the selection of clothing in the right sizes and the choice of age-appropriate hygiene and laundry products — a week’s worth of each. But, most importantly she engages children and family members in open-ended conversations demonstrating our true interest of serving others while getting to know the families. “I am deeply blessed to be able to serve in the 1st Pres Neighborhood Closet.  I feel a witness to the Holy Spirit with each family served in that bright, happy basement. Often times shoppers arrive a bit reserved or unsure of what they are about to experience and, as their shopping trip unfolds, you literally see shoulders drop and relax, and smiles frequently appearing on the their faces. I know I am biased, but I truly feel families leave our church with expectations met far above and beyond what they hoped.”

As Co-chairs, Connie Boni and I, do the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep this ministry going year to year.  We opened our doors in October 2022 and are now heading into October 2024 continuing to serve at-risk children and families in our community.   We have had 148 families set up appointments. Those families brought 232 children to the Closet.  Connie remarked, “I have been so fortunate to have worked as a shopper, a closeteer (personal shopper) and now as a Co-chair with Gina. It has been so rewarding to witness how much our church continually supports this mission. I have enjoyed meeting with CDA School District counselors and personnel, and many nonprofit organizations to inform them of what we can provide to children and families in need. It touches my heart every single time I've worked with the children and seen how happy they are to receive their new clothes.”  I replied, “The gift our Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to lead in this Ministry. It has taught me so much about the human aspect of multi-generations coming together to serve our community in a very respectful and dignified way.  Together we are learning how to invite people into relationships built on our LOVE 1st philosophy!”

There are many more people who support this Ministry through volunteering, monetary donations, and prayers, but they could not possibly be named individually. We apologize and wish to express our deepest thanks for your continued support.

You are showing Christ’s grace through your service of care.

Blessing to all,
Gina