File - Crowded Closet

2016 Winter Newsletter
R
1 2 1 3 G I L B E R T
I O W A C I T Y
C T ,
Holiday Dinner
Celebrates Volunteers
Phone: 319-337-5924
Web site:
crowdedcloset.org
Emails:
Volunteers:
crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com
Donations:
crowdedcloset.donation@gmail.com
Retail/Gift:
crowdedcloset.ic@gmail.com
Administration:
crowdedcloset.gm@gmail.com
Check us out on :
thecrowedclosetthriftstore
Volunteer opportunities:
Assist with amazon book sales
Cashiering
Receptionist to answer phones
Receiving & sorting donations
Ten Thousand Villages Christmas pop
up store did well this season. The local
board continues to work hard to reach
it’s goal of opening a permanent store
in downtown Iowa City fall of 2016.
Please keep the local board in your
prayers. Crowded Closet gift shop will
continue to carry fair trade products
from other companies as well as a few
items from Ten Thousand Villages.
On December 2nd approximately 140 volunteers and guests gathered at
Kalona Mennonite Church for a banquet in honor of their service. Potato
soup, chili, salad, bread and homemade cookies were served by MYFers
from East Union and Kalona Mennonite. The soups are products sold by
the Crowded Closet gift shop to support the ministries of Soup of Success (Elkhart, IN) and Women’s Bean Project (Denver, CO). These programs help to empower women and develop their independence.
Volunteers were challenged to a three part trivia game including
questions regarding the Bible, Christmas, and Crowded Closet staff. The
event was planned by Bailey Shrock, with helpful assistance from her
mother, sister and the local MYFers. There were numerous responses of
gratitude for being able to all gather under one roof.
The Crowded Closet
board and staff deeply
appreciate the service
of our volunteers to
further relief work ,
provide locally, as well
as around the world
through MCC.
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“Every little piece counts”
Ken Sensenig, Assistant Executive
Director of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) East Coast, visited
Crowded Closet on November 3 to
share about the work of MCC, the
history of MCC thrift shops like
Crowded Closet, and the impact of
each volunteer’s service. The combined revenue from MCC thrift
stores in the last year provided over
16 million dollars to support the
work of MCC throughout the world.
This solid stream of revenue grows
thanks to the strong commitment of
volunteers. Thirty volunteers gathered for Ken’s presentation. Ken
reminds us that our service at
Crowded Closet makes an impact
that benefits the global community
and touches the world.
Margaret Miller welcomes
customers on a Saturday in an
Old Mother Hubbard costume.
Students in an afterschool program of Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
arrive each week to pick up and deliver recycling. We are grateful for community
programs who support the work of Crowded Closet.
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Staffing at Crowded Closet
2015 was marked by numerous employee transitions. With the departure of some staff and the arrival of
new staff we reorganized our positions to utilize the talents available to us. Staff at Crowded Closet meet
weekly to discuss how to best serve Crowded Closet, its volunteers, its donors and its customers. Our desire is to work well as a team, communicate well, and determine how to make the most profit to send
more to Mennonite Central Committee. The following are staff titles and descriptions of their roles:
crowdedcloset.donation@gmail.com
crowdedcloset.ic@gmail.com
Bailey Schrock star ted as Work
room Supervisor in February of
2015. As roles shifted in the fall
she realized she really enjoyed
the processing of items. It was a
natural fit for her to take on all
aspects of donations. As Processing Manager
Bailey oversees all donations, including furniture.
Betsy Slabaugh star ted at
Crowded Closet 8 years ago as
Assistant Manager. In 2012, she
started as General Manager.
Betsy realized her passion was
with retail rather than administrative thus inspiring the move to the role of Retail
Manager. As r etail manager , Betsy is in char ge of
the Gift Shop and design on the retail floor. As
Betsy’s role changed there was an opening for a General Manager.
crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com
crowdedcloset.gm@gmail.com
Christine Maust Beachy star ted
with Crowded Closet in September. As she began her job, her gift
with people was obvious to us.
Because
Bailey’s
position
changed it left room for Christine to shift into the
role of Volunteer Coordinator. Her ability to communicate and inspire volunteers made the position
a wonderful fit.
Carey Miller was hired in September
2015 as General Manager. Carey
has many years of experience which
includes working with non-profits.
He has been helpful in guiding all of
us to define our positions and recognize what we do best. Carey’s talents lie in finance
and staff development.
Are you a mentor for a youth
in your church?
Crowded Closet is a great
place to spend with your
mentee. Come spend a couple
of hours on a Saturday tagging
clothing, bagging with the cashiers or testing electrical items…
Contact Christine to plan a time
to volunteer.
An awesome donation:
This fall a donor remembered
Crowded Closet in his will by
donating his car to the store.
The car was a 1997 Toyota Corolla and had only 30,000 miles on it. After transferring the title we decided we could get the most for it if we put it on Silent Auction. The
auction began in October and ended on Dec 7, 2015. The final bid was
$3,700. We were very happy with the end result and it was fun to watch
as the car continued to go up and up.
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Crowded Closet pr oudly suppor ts Mennonite Centr al
Committee. MCC is a global, nonprofit organization that
strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through
1213 Gilbert Court
Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: 319-337-5924
Email: crowdedcloset.gm@gmail.com
relief, development and peace. MCC is an Anabaptist organization striving to make peace a part of everything they do.
When responding to disasters MCC works with local groups
to distribute resources in ways that minimize conflict. In development work they plan with community and church
Crowded Closet Board of Directors:
Roger Farmer, Board Chair
Donna Yoder, Vice Chair
Vi Graber, Secretary
Fred Gingerich, Treasurer
Jane Schlabaugh
Bob Cumings
Sherry Schrock
groups to make sure the projects meet their needs. MCC advocates for policies that will
lead to a more peaceful world.
e
m
Volunteering at Crowded Closet:
Since starting at Crowded Closet in September, one favorite aspect of my work has been meeting the
Crowded Closet volunteers. They are loyal and dedicated, many counting their service to Crowded Closet
in decades. They are kind and compassionate, openly welcoming new volunteers into the Crowded Closet
community and daily supporting one another. They are hard working, effectively transforming the presort
donation pile into the clean, well organized merchandise on the retail floor. In my role as Volunteer Coordinator, I look forward to supporting our volunteer team and continuing the strong tradition at Crowded
Closet of committed, joyful service. Thank you for allowing me to serve with you.
Ready to volunteer?
Contact Christine
our volunteer coordinator
at 319-337-5924
or email her at
crowdedcloset.volunteer@gmail.com.
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