Co-managers of the Clothes Closet Dawn Erdner, left, and Cheryl Minse, right, display the Volunteer of the Year Award the Wells store recently received from the Wells Area Chamber.

With a long history of community outreach, it was fitting that the Clothes Closet in Wells was honored as the Volunteer of the Year by the Wells Chamber of Commerce on February 25.

While previously the award was only given to a person, a change in the eligibility requirements last year made organizations able to receive the award and the Clothes Closet became the first organization honored.

Though the award says Volunteer of the Year, perhaps it should really say Volunteers of the Year.

“We currently have 30 volunteers who donate their time to keep the Clothes Closet running,” Cheryl Minse says. “Most of the volunteers are women, although we also have some men who are volunteers.”

Minse, along with Dawn Erdner, are the co-managers of the Clothes Closet.

“I guess you could call us the bosses,” Erdner says. “But we try not to be bossy.”

The Clothes Closet traces its origins back to 1987 when it was started by the Wells Ministerial Association.

“I believe four ladies started the operation,” Erdner shares. “I think they ran it out of the back of Dr. Butson’s veterinary clinic.”

The store has relocated three times during its existence, each time moving to a larger building.

“In 2010, the group Caring Community Outreach, which was an offshoot of the Wells Ministerial Association, bought the building we are currently in,” Erdner comments. “At that time we became a mission of Open Doors United Methodist Church.”

The Clothes Closet actually has two locations. The retail store where people can shop for items is located at 112 South Broadway in Wells. The drop-off/donation store is located right across the street from the retail store.

The retail store is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm and on the second Saturday of every month from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“Our donation site is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” Minse says. “But it is not open on Saturdays.”

The people working at the Clothes Closet log in close to 6,800 total hours of volunteer work every year and the money raised through the sales of the merchandise supports a number of causes.

The decision of how to distribute the money they raise is made by the group.

“We do personal outreach in local communities by helping people in need,” Erdner states. “They may need help with medical expenses, hospitalization costs, paying for their utilities or rent and/or other living hardships.”

“Sometimes we receive requests for help,” Minse comments. “We have also offered to help people and been turned down.”

“There are times when we learn of a death in a family and the survivors are struggling to pay for the burial,” Erdner adds. “That is a case where we will step in and see if we can help out.”

“That is the No. 1 goal we have as a group,” Minse states. “To help people who are suffering hardships.”

The proceeds from sales have also been used to support area fire and ambulance departments, schools, food shelves, post prom activities, church youth programs, school programs and hospice,” Minse says. “The group has also given money to the theater, the library, Interfaith Caregivers and the local Salvation Army.”

Their current retail building is very spacious with items located on the ground floor and in a huge basement.

“From what I understand, there used to be a bowling alley in the basement back before there were mechanical pin setters and young boys had the job of setting the pins,” Erdner comments. “I think boxing also may have taken place in the basement.”

The list of what the Clothes Closet will accept as a donation is quite long.

“It’s probably easier to tell people what we don’t take,” Minse quips. “We do not accept dirty or broken items, fluorescent lights, TVs, computers, larger furniture and large appliances.”

When a customer comes into their retail store to shop, they will find clothes for women, men, children and infants.

“Women’s clothes are normally are best seller,” Minse notes. “But when it’s time for back-to-school shopping, kid’s clothes becomes our No. 1 item. Our kid’s clothes are only $1 each.”

However, the Clothes Closet offers much more than just clothes.

“We have fabric and sewing supplies, bath towels, bedding, yarn, puzzles and books,” Erdner says. “We also have artificial flowers, vases, a “Christmas” room, pictures, frames, dishes, pots and pans, other kitchen items, jewelry and craft supplies.”

There is also a separate room full of toys and games.

“The toys have all of their parts,” Erdner remarks. “All items must be cleaned and unbroken.”

Minse and Erdner both say they were surprised to learn the Clothes Closet was being honored by the Wells Chamber for their volunteer work.

“I guess we didn’t realize the award had been opened up to groups,” Minse says. “So yes, we were a little shocked.”

Minse and Erdner say they do post special sales on Facebook.

“But there is more than one Clothes Closet out there,” Minse cautions. “So you have to make sure you get the right one. We now have over 1,400 followers.”

Being able to help others in need is only part of the reason the volunteers enjoy working at the Clothes Closet.

“It is also fun interacting with the people who come here to shop,” Erdner comments. “We have people who come here to shop from Minneapolis, Austin, Albert Lea, Mankato and St. Peter. We also have many people who come here from Iowa. Most of the people are very pleasant. They are good people with some special stories.”