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2010 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 283
Commending The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2010
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2010

 

WHEREAS, The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., a nonprofit thrift shop located in historic downtown Herndon, celebrated its 35th anniversary of serving the Herndon community in 2009; and

WHEREAS, in 1973 Janice Shanks, in charge of community outreach at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, discussed with fellow church members the idea of starting a thrift store to assist low-income families by selling used clothing at a nominal price; and

WHEREAS, Janice Shanks wrote to other churches in the area asking for volunteers and seed money, and in 1974, The Closet opened in a small space above a farm supply store; the shop grew and changed locations several times before finding its current location on Station Street; and

WHEREAS, today, The Closet accepts not only clothing but household items, electronic and sporting goods, books, toys, videos, musical instruments, and other items; and

WHEREAS, The Closet donates clothing without charge to needy persons after referral by an authorized social service agency, homeless shelter, or sponsoring congregation; the shop also donates items it is unable to sell to needy communities in the western part of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Closet generously donates approximately 90 percent of its proceeds after expenses to a variety of organizations and causes in the Herndon area; and

WHEREAS, from its inception until 2008, The Closet has raised and given away almost $2.4 million, not including the $60,000 worth of goods it gives away to needy families every year; and

WHEREAS, The Closet provides $15,000 to $20,000 annually in scholarships to Herndon and South Lakes High Schools and gives grants to local social service organizations, including the Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, Kids Are First, Christmas in April, and the Hospice of Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The Closet employs 10 to 12 paid employees, but the majority of the staffing support comes from those in the community who graciously donate their time to help the shop; and

WHEREAS, the success of The Closet 35 years later is a testament to the need for such a store in the Herndon area and an example of what can happen when a community unites for a common purpose; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., on the occasion of its 35th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Laura Greenspan, President of The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration and gratitude for the organization’s hard work and service to the citizens of Herndon and the Commonwealth.