Retired teacher honored for turning second-hand purchases into community support

CUMBERLAND, Va. (InvestigateTV) - Barbara Daniels has spent 15 years leading volunteers at the Cumberland Clothes Closet, a thrift store that sells gently used items at low prices while supporting the community.

“We sell mostly clothes, but we sell all kinds. Anything that’s usable in a home. We do glassware, books and anything like that,” said Daniels, the store’s director.

The retired Powhatan County Public Schools teacher started volunteering at the store after her teaching career ended. She now oversees a group of volunteers who help customers find affordable items for their families.

“It’s often difficult for them to clothe a family - a large family- with prices today,” Daniels said.

The store’s mission extends beyond retail. All profits, after operating costs, go back into the community through various programs and donations.

“Whatever we make, other than what it costs to keep the Clothes Closet open, it goes back into the community,” Daniels said.

Catherine Trammell, a friend of Daniels, said the store addresses a real need in Cumberland County.

“There is no grocery store in Cumberland County. So we have to go either to Prince Edward, to Powhatan, and or Buckingham County just to get groceries,” Trammell said.

“The county is limited as to what they have and where we have to go to get it what we need. And I assume the same goes for clothing.”

The Cumberland Clothes Closet has awarded $10,000 scholarships to students, supported the local library, and donated to volunteer fire departments within the county.

Trammell wanted to do something special to honor her friend Barbara.

Click here for the original posting of this story from Gray Media’s WWBT and Ashley Hendricks