New drop-off center at The Closet makes donating more efficient

The Closet, a non-profit thrift shop in the heart of historic downtown Herndon, recently re-opened with an expanded donation center following the recent completion of the 550 sq. ft. addition by HomeAid Northern Virginia (HANV). The new donation center structure in the rear of the store is a significant upgrade to the previously-used outdoor area where donations were left open to the elements for volunteers to sort, tag, and bring inside the retail shop.

“For the last decade, we’ve been operating with the weather beating down on the workers out there, and often jeopardizing the donations,” said The Closet of Greater Herndon board president Gene Wiley. “This addition is going to make a real difference in how we operate. It will make dropping off donations a much more efficient experience for our donors, and it will certainly provide a more productive space for our workers and volunteers. As we reopen, we’re excited to accept donations again, and enjoy this beautiful new space for sorting and processing everything for the clients who depend on us.”

The Great Decluttering of 2020

The opening of The Closet’s expanded donation center was ultimately well timed to what the Washington Post has termed “The Great Decluttering of 2020” - as the pandemic and its ensuring quarantine has inspired a mass cleanout of American homes nationally and locally. Donations at The Closet are significantly up since re-opening, with an average of 60+ cars dropping items off each day within the four hour window (8am-12noon) when donations are accepted. (See donation information & items accepted.) The construction of the donation center was already underway when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, closing the store and slowing the construction process. Through deliberative and creative coordination, HANV worked with its building partners to deploy small crews of essential construction workers at different time intervals to move the project forward.

The donation center was completed by HANV’s project “builder captain” Richmond American Homes, and 23 construction trade partners that donated labor, time, materials, and expertise to the project, saving The Closet just over 55% of the cost of construction. The new structure provides protection from the weather for workers, volunteers, donators and donations alike. It includes features such as radiant heating systems, ceiling fans, as well as custom fabricated doors.

Historic Tie-in to Herndon Railroad History

In a historic district and sitting directly in front of Herndon City Hall, construction of the donation center required Heritage Preservation Review Board approval in addition to regular permitting. The architecture of the structure focuses on the town’s railroad history, drawing inspiration from the historic Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) railroad that had run steps away from the building and a 1940’s caboose on display nearby. The donation center has a depot-like quality to its construction, and its boxcar-red color, corrugated metal roof and large sliding doors evoke that same theme. As part of the project, the HANV team also replaced a stairwell with a handicapped ramp so that the retail area will be ADA compliant for the first time since its opening in this location in 2000.

Chantilly-based nonprofit HANV typically focuses on building and renovating homeless shelters and supportive housing facilities via the donated expertise, labor and resources of local homebuilders. Yet the mission and impact of The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., is well aligned with HANV’s mission to build new lives for families and individuals experiencing homelessness through housing and community outreach.

“While housing is the key element to help those experiencing homelessness, beds by themselves are not the proverbial magic bullet,” said Kristyn Burr, Executive Director and CEO of HomeAid Northern Virginia. “Support services such as mental health, counseling, and job training are also needed to help people rebuild their lives and move forward to healing and self-sufficiency. The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area’s support of housing organizations, food banks, health clinics and more supports our mission, impacts lives and improves our local communities.”

The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc., was founded in 1974 by a handful of faith communities to assist low-income families by obtaining used clothing for free or at nominal prices. The Closet organization has expanded its mission over the years and, today, allocates its profits to community programs such as Cornerstones, Fellowship Square, Shelter House, Meridians Recovery, Mobile Hope of Loudoun, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and more. The Closet Thrift Store also provides clothing and other household goods free to families and individuals referred from several Fairfax County public and private human service agencies.

Additionally, each year the organization recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated involvement in community service by providing scholarship grants to select students from five area schools in Fairfax and Loudoun counties (South Lakes, Herndon, Oakton, Park View & Mountain View High Schools).

HomeAid Northern Virginia brings together local non-profit service providers with the local homebuilder community to build/renovate homeless shelters, housing facilities and community spaces for programs serving those experiencing homelessness. These collaborative partnerships enable homebuilders to do what they do best (build) and service providers to do what they do best (provide housing and critical wraparound services). HANV has completed 150 construction projects that together have served as a safe and stable space for more than 167,000 vulnerable individuals in our community.