Meet the retired teacher running a thrift store that gives back
Barbara Daniels has led volunteers at Cumberland Clothes Closet for 15 years
CUMBERLAND, Va. (Aging Untold) — A teacher in Virginia started volunteering at a thrift store after retiring from a 30-year career in education. Barbara Daniels now leads the volunteers at Cumberland Clothes Closet, which she says gives purpose to each purchase.
The store sells clothes for men and women of all ages and styles, along with other household items.
“We sell mostly clothes, but we sell anything that’s usable in a home,” Daniels said. “We do glassware, books, anything like that.”
Gently used items are dropped off at the store, sorted and tagged at low prices.
From classroom to thrift store
Daniels retired from teaching at Powhatan County Public Schools and started volunteering at the store afterward. She has led the store’s group of volunteers for 15 years, helping customers find what they need at affordable prices.
“It’s often difficult for them to clothe a large family with the prices today,” Daniels said.
Daniels said proceeds beyond what it costs to keep the store open go back into the community.
“Whatever we make other than what it cost to, you know, keep the Clothes Closet open, it goes back into the community,” Daniels said.
Community support
Cumberland Clothes Closet has awarded $10,000 in scholarships for students, supported the nearby library and donated to volunteer fire departments in the county.
Daniels said the store works with food banks and a rehab center that helps young men living with drug addiction.
She said the support is a team effort between volunteers and residents.
“Where our community is part of us and we’re part of them,” Daniels said.
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