By Chelsea Royer with photos from Chez Photography
From all corners of Grays Harbor, people are coming forward with donations, volunteering their time, and hosting drives and events to benefit those suffering damage from this week’s flooding. While some are on the streets clearing mud and rubbage, others scurry behind the scenes to meet different needs.
Ginger Holcomb is a member of Harbor Calvary Chapel (HCC) in Aberdeen. Over the last five years, she has helped direct quarterly clothing drives under the title of, “Strings Attached Clothing Ministry.” Ginger collects clothing all year in order to lay the items out like a store before opening up the church doors to let those in need “shop” for free.
2014 never saw its winter clothing event. Instead, it’s turned into something much bigger.
When Ginger called the Salvation Army to see if they needed clothing for flood victims, she had no idea she would wind up hosting her largest clothing drive yet. Ginger made a few quick phone calls to advertise that HCC would be accepting donations and left it at that. The word spread like wildfire and before she knew it, Ginger had a page of phone calls to return – including those from Coastal Harvest, a relief group that had helped with the Oso mudslide, and random people from Seattle eager to donate.
When I walked into the church this Friday night, I counted no fewer than 60 garbage bags and plastic bins full of clothing with more streaming in the doors. Having a sizeable stash on hand already, the task of organizing the clothing and preparing for Saturday’s “shoppers” seemed almost insurmountable. This would have been the case if it weren’t for the two dozen or so volunteers that happened to show up out of nowhere to help.
“I had no idea that many people would be here tonight,” admits Ginger, who has faced her share of obstacles this week in planning her largest drive on such short notice.
Clothes aren’t the only items being donated. When Ginger drove to pick up the donations from Coastal Harvest, she was bombarded with toilet paper, diapers, paper towels, feminine hygiene products and the like – enough to fill several cars. Individuals have donated bedding, kitchen items, and totes. The amount of donations is overwhelming, but Ginger has had practice. Diagrams have been drawn and everything has a place – it just doesn’t know it yet. Volunteers scramble to unpack and sort through the clothing to set up a smooth, hassle-free process for shoppers.
Ginger’s enthusiasm is high as she attributes the beginnings of this ministry to God. “At the same time I approached Pastor Sean Hollen about starting a clothing ministry, my friend, Taren Tester was approaching his wife, Erica. Neither of us knew the other had the same burden and it was the confirmation we needed to begin Strings Attached Clothing Ministry.” Taren has since moved out of state, but church members like Julie Rabey have stepped in to carry the baton as the project continues to grow.
“It’s beautiful,” says Ginger. “I mean, it’s awful…but so beautiful as people reach out and everyone does their part to help.”
Harbor Calvary Chapel will open its doors at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10 on 108 South K Street in Aberdeen. If you or someone you know is in need, these items are provided free as a gesture of love.
Harbor Calvary Chapel
108 South K Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520
360-532-4419
