By CALEB FOX
Staff Reporter
For the seventh year in a row, members of the Oakdale Enrichment Society (OES) brought together hundreds of volunteers from Aug. 12 through 17 to give back to local residents through their annual Community Closet. From Aug. 12 to 15, OES had help from more than 50 volunteers daily to assist with clothing donation drop offs for the Community Closet.
With a distribution date of Saturday, Aug. 17, hundreds of people lined up outside in the Oakdale Town Plaza roughly half an hour before the Community Closet opened. The line formed outside of the Gene Bianchi Community Center, waiting for the chance to get inside and look over the tables with all types of clothing. Meanwhile, ahead of the 9 a.m. start time, nearly 70 volunteers worked together inside to finish setting up the last donations and prepare to give back to those in need.
High school students, members of OES, and community residents made up this massive group of volunteers, all with the same goal: giving back.
“I love seeing people find the clothes they love and knowing that they can take as much as they like,” Austin Speiller, an OES volunteer and junior in high school, said. Speiller is also involved in many other community service projects, including the Miracle League in Modesto. Community Closet allows individuals like Speiller to continue serving the community.
John Hinkel, a U.S. Marine veteran and volunteer on Aug. 17, took some time out on his birthday to help at the Community Closet.
“For me, volunteering is continuing the mission,” Hinkel said.
On Saturday, that mission brought him to Community Closet.
Within the first half hour of the doors opening, OES officials noted, 372 individuals came into the Gene Bianchi Center ready to find clothes to suit their needs. With a wide variety of clothing, the Community Closet prepares individuals for a number of activities. From formal, dress, spirit casual, interview, and business wear, Community Closet helps people find gently used clothing and there is no cost for the items.
There were even some stuffed animals and toys available to the younger attendees.
“(Community Closet) gives people the opportunity to have whatever they want,” Sigrid Noordewier, a retired elementary school teacher and volunteer, said.
Instead of individuals limiting their shopping experience due to high prices, Community Closet lets them take as many clothes as they like … and need.
“Seeing the look on these children’s faces when they find the clothes they want makes my heart happy,” Lisa Ballard, president of the OES, said.
The clothing distribution effort comes shortly after the start of the new school year and benefits many local families and individuals in need.
The Community Closet, however, is just one of the many community-centered events and activities that OES coordinates throughout the year.
With a successful All-American Bash hosted in late June, and now the Community Closet completed, OES will next host their annual Christmas Parade. Date for that event is the first Saturday in December, and they are already looking for volunteers to help. To reach out about volunteering, contact info@enrichoakdale.org.
