Now in its 15th year at 18330 Sonoma Highway, the nonprofit Friends in Sonoma Helping continues the Clothes Closet program started in 1974 at the Faith Lutheran Church. Providing free clothes, and now books, toys and housewares for those who need them is now handled by three teams of volunteers, each with 7-8 helpers. Pictured is the Friday crew: Claire Jones, Fran Aggas, Barbara Kristof and Christina Matthews.
The volunteer job, overseen by Shirley Blazevich, entails sorting, straightening and cleaning, along with customer service. Public hours are Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Donations of clothes, shoes, bedding and pillows, small appliances and kitchenware are always welcome, as are volunteer hours.
“Over the years Spanish has become the first language of many who visit the Clothes Room and Spanish-speaking volunteers are both highly prized and needed,” says Sandra Piotter of FISH. “I have the highest admiration for our Clothes Room Volunteers who sort mountains of donations and transform bags of clothing into an organized shop of folded and hanging clothes where folks are welcomed to come in to select items.”
Other valued team members include: Shirley Blazevich, Evelyn Carter, Jean Mumme, Diane Blake. Bonnie Krueger, Lila Garcia, Lupe Gutierrez and her daughter Joanne, Carol Scheldrup, Pat Ghiselin, Ruth Johnson, Leona Shipley and Nadine Yenni.
707.996.0111. Friendsinsonomahelping.org.
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