JACKSONVILLE — Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.
(New Living Translation)
I Corinthians 13:13
By Kelsey Palmer
kpalmer@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Imagine the perfect Valentine’s Day date — flickering candlelight, soft music, a warm fireplace, and an air of pure romance while a couple dining on a gourmet meal. To some, this evening may sound like a great concoction of everything romantic, it can be difficult to recreate. However, the non-profit charitable organization and ministry Clothes Closet & More of Jacksonville has found a solution for local lovebirds looking forward to a memorable holiday weekend — Clothes Closet & More’s 2nd annual benefit themed “and The Greatest of These Is Love.”
“The benefit will have a wonderful atmosphere,” Clothes Closet & More Executive Director Mickey Gear said. “We are all looking forward to giving Jacksonville citizens this opportunity to spend time with their loved ones, while also helping us raise funds for our organization.”
According to Clothes Closet & More, they service 75 to 100 people per day, providing them with free clothes, shoes, and accessories donated by general public.
“Our clientele has increased 50 percent because we are starting to get clients who were once our benefactors,” Gear said. “It’s overwhelming how much need is in our community.”
Though Clothes Closet & More plans to hold their benefit at the newly constructed foyer of the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, day to day life for Gear and the organization’s volunteer staff takes place in a setting worlds apart.
“The building we are in right now is old and very limited along with other problems,” Gear said. “It needs many repairs and it has no heat except for a small space heater.”
The clothes take up most of the space in the 2,000-square-foot building, leaving little room for items Gear would like to provide, like canned-goods and furniture.
“We desperately need the proper facility to continue giving and fulfilling the needs of the people we serve,” Gear said. “It’s not cost effective to pay rent with money we could be using to help the community, so we are holding this benefit so we can buy one.”
After collecting donations for two years in hopes of buying their own space, however, Clothes Closet & More think this year’s benefit may be the last fundraiser needed to top off the building fund.
“Our goal is to earn $2,000 with this event,” Gear said, “and if we sell all 100 tickets, we’ll do just that.”
The benefit will have two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville located at 1031 S.E. Loop 456.
The $25-per-person tax deductible donation includes a menu specially prepared for the event and includes a choice of roast beef or herbal chicken in cream with sides of roasted potatoes, green beans almandine, a dinner salad, and fresh rolls, and a choice of five deserts.
To purchase a ticket or learn more about Clothes Closet & More, call Mickey Gear at 903-586-0204 or 903-279-7158.
Clothes Closet & More is located at 801 E. Rusk St. and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Volunteers are welcome from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
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