Mission Statement
The Blessings Closet provides clothing, food, and educational items to those in need through free community events.
Vision Statement
Neighbors Blessing Neighbors
Value Statement
We bring compassion and support in partnership with neighbors and friends to help provide basic human needs for local communities.
The Blessings Closet in Martinsburg, West Virginia, provides free clothing, a food pantry, and educational classes to community members in need. We are located downtown in Martinsburg, West Virginia. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that serves Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan county residents.
Our food pantry is open by appointment only. As a courtesy, we deliver food baskets from our free food pantry to community members who are disabled, seniors, and veterans.
We have free clothing for community members, too. We ensure our clothing is like new before we distribute. We rely strictly on donations for our blessings; as a result, our donations are returned to the community for free.
We offer free prom gowns and homecoming dresses to local high school teens in need as well.
Additionally, we partner with local schools to provide items for their clothing closets for students.
The Blessings Closet hosts children’s book giveaways and free bookbag events. We also offer free educational classes on gardening, how to raise your credit score, confidence building, how to buy a home, and more.
We host a community dinner once a month in partnership with local businesses and churches. Please feel free to join us; everyone is welcome.
Last, if you want to do the work of God, pay attention to people. Especially, the people nobody else notices. – John Ortberg.
The Blessings Closet Board
Rhonda Holmes-Gales
Founder and Board Member
Rhonda attended Shepherd University studying Business Administration. She retired after working 3 years at the National Cancer Institute at NIH and 34 years at the IRS as an IT Specialist and IT Specialist Manager. During her time at the IRS, Rhonda wrote code to process business tax returns, managed a customer service department, and helped recover billions of dollars deceptively obtained through tax fraud. After 37 years of service, she retired so she can move on the next chapter of her life. Rhonda then founded The Blessings Closet and continued serving community members in need.
Dr. David Didden
Board Member
David Didden, MD, works, in the WV Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health (OMCFH) as Physician Director as well as Medical Director of Overdose Prevention and Innovation Projects. He has been a clinician-leader in the state public health system since 2013 as a family physician and as a local health officer. As a senior advisor in the state health department, he supports new and ongoing Bureau for Public Health Services like infant and maternal mortality reviews, pubic health training in graduate medical education and health equity.
Patricia Greenley
Board Member
Patricia is a graduate of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.V. Patricia retired from the Federal Government after 33 years of dedicated service. She has had the opportunity to travel to foreign lands, meet amazing people and experience diverse cultures. In 2012, Pat, along with her husband Joseph, founded Voices Against Domestic Violence, a faith based nonprofit organization with the purpose of providing transition services and support to those who have been impacted by domestic violence.
Cherri Branson
Board Member
Cherri began her career on Capitol Hill in 1989 and worked for trail blazing members of Congress, including John Conyers, Patsy Mink and Cardiss Collins. In 2005, she began work on the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, retiring as Chief Counsel for Oversight. Cherri attended Eastern High School and Immaculate Conception Academy, both in Washington, DC. She went on to earn a B.A. from Vassar College, a J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law, and a LL.M. from Emory University School of Law.
Viola Holmes
Board Member
Vi, MS, RDN, CDCES, is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist. It was the sudden passing of her father from a heart attack that informed Viola's decision to pursue degrees in Dietetics and Health Sciences from James Madison University. Viola is equally passionate about serving in ministry. She has a degree in biblical studies and is an Associate Pastor at Emmanuel Christian Center in Ruckersville, Virginia. She oversees the Young Adult ministry and is on the Executive Board.
Skyra Allen
Board Member
Skyra has created a career in the medical field and is currently working as a Surgical Technologist. In addition to being passion about serving the community medically. Skyra is passionate about her family, community and her faith. She volunteers her time beside her daughter, Miss Elkins Area’s Teen, is active in the Covenant Church, or entrepreneurship connections through Clearview Tree Services. Skyra has supported and is currently participating in events hosted by The Blessings Closet. She is looking forward to making an impact in the community.
Paxton Marshall
Board Member
Paxton received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and an M.A. in History from the University of Maryland, a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Chicago, and a M.E. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia. He was a professor of engineering at the University of Virginia for 26 years, including 12 years as Associate Dean. Previously he taught at Shepherd College for ten years and Harpers Ferry High School for two years. He served on the advisory boards for electronics technology at James Ramsey VoTech and Piedmont Virginia Community College. Following his retirement Paxton delivered Meals on Wheels, and still substitutes.
Testimonials
Best Way to Make a Difference in the Lives of Others
We have Volunteer Opportunities in Martinsburg, WV at The Blessings Closet. We could use your help in our community outreach, event planning, community meal preparation, and holiday events teams.
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