02/26/2026
Congratulations to our great volunteers at the Clothes Closet! Your dedication does not go unnoticed!
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Good evening,
As President of the Wells Chamber, it is one of my favorite responsibilities to recognize the people and organizations who quietly, consistently make our community stronger. Tonight, I have the honor of presenting Volunteer of the Year to a group that has been doing exactly that for more than 45 years, the Clothes Closet here in Wells.
What started as the “Backdoor Closet,” led by a group of dedicated women from our area churches, has grown into something truly remarkable. Over the years, it has moved locations 3 times, adapted, and evolved. For the past 16 years, it has called its current location on Broadway home. But no matter where it has been housed, its purpose has remained the same: serve others.
The Clothes Closet is a nonprofit thrift store run entirely by volunteers. More than 2 individuals give their time, energy, and heart to keep the doors open. It is open for everyone to stop, shop, and save. And that part is important — everyone. There is no barrier to walk in that door.
But what makes the Clothes Closet so deserving of this recognition is that its impact goes far beyond the racks of clothing and shelves of household goods.
Every dollar of profit goes right back into the greater Wells community. Funds support the mission with not only a personal outreach, by helping people in need with utilities, rent, medical expenses, hospitalizations and living hardships. They support our fire departments and ambulance squads. They contribute to area food shelves, schools, post prom, church youth programs, hospice, sub Santa, theaters, libraries, Interfaith Caregiver, the local Salvation Army and other nonprofits that serve our region.
And when inventory exceeds what can be sold locally, it doesn’t go to waste. It is transferred to organizations that supply the needy throughout southern Minnesota, across the nation, and even worldwide.
That is stewardship. That is generosity. That is volunteerism at its finest.
The Clothes Closet represents what makes a small town strong. Neighbors helping neighbors. People showing up, not for recognition, but because they care. Because they see a need. Because they believe in giving back.
On behalf of the Wells Chamber, and on behalf of a grateful community, thank you to every volunteer who has sorted donations, worked the register, organized shelves, balanced books, moved locations, and kept this mission alive for more than four decades.
It is my privilege to present the Volunteer of the Year Award to the Clothes Closet of Wells. Thank you for all you do for our community. - Brittany Voigt
Dawn Erdner Co Manager Dawn Doyle
Cheryl Minse Co Manager Lisa Mershon
Carol Aske Carolyn Weller
Dee Yokiel Deanne Mershon
Jan Fure Jan Nowak
Sandy Youngblom Sharon Swenson
Sherry Thamez Sue Hendrickson
Wendy Nickel Wayne Minse
Dean Youngblom Sandy Schindler
Tom Schindler Deb Neubauer
Nellie VanEngelenburg Linda Swehla
Sandy Lorenz Joyce Ehrich
Julie Stenzel Donnette Dulas
Betsy Hermanson Betty Culbertson
Reese Druckenmiller
