By JACKIE L. HENRY
Managing Editor
Gena Shultz is kind and always looks out for her family, friends, and colleagues. Her kindness is also easily seen in her daily work as a counselor for the Tipton Community School Corporation.
Back in 2015, Schultz said that God had laid it on her heart to find a way to help children who rarely experience the joy of having a new outfit, including a coat and shoes.
“I had been laid up for several weeks after a car accident and spent too much time watching the back-to-school ads that told how popular and successful kids would be if they wore the right brand-name clothes. All I could think of were those kids who never had the chance to have a new outfit, let alone one that was a brand name,” Shultz said. “I wanted to do something but didn’t know how I could because I couldn’t walk, use my left arm or see to drive. After praying about what to do, God made it very clear that if I was willing, He would provide the means and the way.”
Shultz said she spent a lot of time talking to community leaders who loved the idea of a new clothing pantry, with many confiding they had been the child who never had a new outfit or winter coat.
“Although there is nothing wrong with hand-me-downs, I felt the students would have been thrilled to have a new outfit or warm coat for school,” she said. After acquiring the old Tipton Middle School foods lab as the “store,” My Closet became a reality and has since served hundreds of TCSC children.
Now in its 10th year, Shultz says the time has gone by quickly, and because of all the businesses and individuals that donate to My Closet, the program has grown beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
“I hope they realize that none of this would be possible without our generous partners. They are helping to make sure that all of our students have the clothing, shoes, hygiene products, haircuts and winter coats they need to help them be successful and feel good about themselves,” Shultz exclaimed.
“My Closet” features all new, trendy clothing that is completely free to any TCSC student who needs it. There are no guidelines to qualify and few or no questions asked for families to be able to “shop.”
“We originally started with three racks of clothing and a letter was sent out to see who in the community could help financially. The response was overwhelming. Today, My Closet has between $40,000 – $50,000 worth of inventory from sizes 4T through 3XL,” she states.
My Closet expanded into four rooms in 2022 and some remodeling was done this past fall. There’s a boys, teen boys, girls, and teen girls section. There is a dressing room and also a bathroom and storage room now.
Shultz stated they have had approximately 1,500 visits since it was opened.
“My Closet” is now working with the area food pantries to keep accurate lists and fliers out in the community. All information is updated and distributed to over 40 agencies throughout the county. The information is updated every six months to keep it current.
“My Closet” assists Jubilee Christmas in helping to get families in need signed up for help at Christmas.
The concept is based on the following principles:
• Any TCSC student may “shop” at “My Closet” without having to meet specific guidelines. If a parent or guardian feels their student needs a new outfit, then that child is scheduled for a “shopping trip”. Those students from Pre-K through 12th grade in the Tipton Community School Corporation are served. No student is turned away.
• TCSC students may “shop” once each semester. The student receives: a jacket or sweatshirt, shirt, pants, package of socks, package of underwear, sports bras, a hygiene bag courtesy of IU Tipton Hospital and a gift certificate for a haircut at Absolutely You Salon. Students may also come once a year to choose a winter coat, hat and gloves as well as a shoe voucher to Shoe Carnival provided by the Tipton County Foundation or a pair of shoes from “My Closet.”
• All “shopping trips” are done in a confidential manner by allowing only 1 family at a time to shop.
• Everything in “My Closet” is brand new with the tags still on.
• “My Closet” is funded by area businesses, churches, philanthropic groups and individuals. It is also supported by former students and people outside of our community as far away as Florida and Wisconsin.
How can you help?
Shultz is very grateful for all the donations she currently receives. However, if you have been unable to help in the past, you might want to consider partnering with My Closet now. Any amount is greatly appreciated. All donors are recognized by signs displayed throughout My Closet. Each year the signs are changed to reflect the past years’ donors. Gold and Silver donors receive their own individual signs. The following are the donor recognition levels:
• Gold Level: $1,000+
• Silver Level: $500 – $999
• Patron Level: $5 – $499
Those that would like to provide financial support for My Closet can do so my sending checks payable to TCSC “My Closet” and send them to Tipton Middle School, c/o Mrs. Gena Schultz, 817 S. Main St., Tipton, IN. 46072
For more information, contact Schultz at the school, 765-675-7521 ext. 2235 or at My Closet, 317-677-3477.
