Shirts for their neighbors’ backs at credit union

Credit unions are usually places where financial transactions, either depositing or withdrawing money, take place and a fee is charged. But that is not necessarily the case at the Catoosa Teachers Federal Credit Union.

There, the second floor has become a clothing store for those who recently suffered catastrophic losses on many fronts.

“I was working in the disaster relief after the tornado and heard all these stories of people wanting to donate clothes but no one would take them,” said Tonya Lively, operator of Kenalls-Kloset consignment sales in Ringgold. “I kept thinking that people were going to need clothes but couldn’t afford to rent space.”

Lively mentioned her dilemma to Terri Queen while the two were handing out water during Cherokee Valley recovery efforts. Queen, marketing director for the teachers credit union, replied that her office had plenty of space but no way to sort and display donated clothing. Lively had clothes racks and skill in consignment sales, Queen had a secure building conveniently located off Battlefield Parkway near Interstate 75 and soon things were up and running.

Luck and coincidence brought a third critical component into the mix. Suzi Gass organized a candlelight vigil for Ringgold that was also a point of contact with Mission of Compassion, an Oklahoma-based group that collects and delivers supplies to communities ravaged by natural disaster.

Mission of Compassion came, left trailer loads of clothing and other supplies, and then moved on.

“Suzi did not know how she would distribute them until she ran into me at Heritage Middle school during our split session with Ringgold,” Lively said.

Now the credit union’s upstairs has been transformed into a consignment shop with rows of clothes. Some new with tags, some gently worn fill rack after rack in the well-lit and air-conditioned space.

“Our problem is getting people to come and take it away,” Queen said.

Lively said the only request made is that those visiting what is being called Kendalls-Kloset Care fill out a form with the names, addresses, number in a family and their ages to help with inventory.

“This is like shopping at a no-charge consignment sale, not a handout,” she said.

Many are just now finding that clothes they salvaged immediately after the storm have since been ruined due to water, mold and mildew damage. The greatest need now is for summer apparel with distribution of winter wear probably taking place in the fall.

“After all of the trauma these people have been through it is just a nicer way to allow them to get clothing,” said Queen. “They have been digging through rubble. We do not want to make them dig through the bags for clothing.”

In addition to clothing, the stairwells of the Catoosa Teachers Credit Union are lined with cleaning supplies and toiletries there for the taking.

“We were going to do this for the children since we are a teachers credit union, but this is for families,” Queen said. “As long as we have any clothes, anyone in this or surrounding areas affected by the storm is welcome.”

GET HELP, GIVE HELP

What: Kendalls-Kloset Care, a consignment shop where everything is free for tornado survivors.

Where: Catoosa Teachers Federal Credit Union, on Smitherman Road (the traffic light on Battlefield Parkway nearest I-75).

When: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., or by appointment.

Cost: Free.

Note: Call ahead at (706) 965-2422 so volunteers can check availability of items in particular sizes.

Donations of ‘good stuff’ still welcome

Items should be on hangers, if possible, with sizes visible (use tape if you know the size but tags have been removed).

There is no need at present for adult sizes for men or women; the greatest need is clothes that would fit infants, toddlers, children or juniors.

Donations of blankets, sheets, detergent and shampoo are also welcome.