Dear Supporters,
As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the generosity and community spirit that made this year one of growth and resilience for Ginger’s Closet & Disaster Relief. Your support has created ripples of positive change, and we are excited to share just how much you’ve helped us accomplish.
This year, we provided over $10,000 in emergency financial aid to people in need, ensuring stability during tough times. From keeping people’s heating on to helping them make it to medical appointments, this funding makes an immeasurable difference. We also distributed $37,000 worth of clothing and bedding (valued at $370,000 at retail prices)—more than double last year’s total—including $8,257 in back-to-school clothing.
Thanks to your donations, we processed 5,000+ pounds of textiles every month. Beyond recycling by thrifting, we hosted free repair sessions twice monthly, and we expanded to two community spaces where people can sew, reclaim, and create, hosting parties and events that bring us together. We’ve even given out over $1,700 in stipends for makers who repair
and restore items back to use, our Mendful Makers!
We’re especially proud to have created five part-time jobs, providing stable, dignified work in our small, remote community. Volunteers are the backbone of our work, and we love and need them, but we also recognize the importance of paid positions for ensuring consistency and supporting families locally. Jobs like these help us build a resilient, sustainable
organization and community. And they help us grow: we successfully applied for $72,000 in grant funding this year thanks to staff efforts! That money gets us so much closer to a safe and rain-proof roof.
2024 wasn’t without challenges. In April, an electrical fire in our roof forced us to close for several days, and the repairs took months to complete. We are deeply grateful for the quick response of Forks’ fire and emergency crews, and for your patience during this time.
We also took some exciting new steps! This year, we launched online sales to expand our reach and raise funds for disaster relief programs—you can explore our shops here at: whatnot.com/user/gingerscloset360, poshmark.com/closet/gingerscloset_, and, depop.com/gingerscloset360/. We also established the Ginger Haberman Scholarship Fund to honor our founder’s legacy.
The first scholarships will be awarded in fall 2025. Additionally, our first joint fundraiser with Jumpstart Preschool raised $2,201 to enable a child to attend (and enable the parents to work), and we feel so proud to support early childhood education.
Speaking of pride, we are thrilled to share that our team’s efforts were recognized with the Inez Halverson Community Service Award from the Forks Chamber of Commerce! And by public vote, Ginger’s Closet was awarded 1st Place for Best Non-profit, 1st Place for Best Second-hand Store and a finalist for Best Clothing Store in the first annual ‘Best of the West
End’ contest held by Sound Publishing.
We expanded our hours to six days a week, with seven-day summer hours from June through October. Volunteers and our new staff team made all of this possible—giving countless hours to keep our services running. Everyone is welcome to our shop and facilities 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily (closed Sundays during winter).
Your support isn’t just about numbers; it’s about hope, dignity, and connection. Together, we are making Forks and the surrounding communities stronger, more compassionate, and more resilient. Thank you for sharing this vision with us.
With warmest thanks, Ginger’s Team