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By Jill Runfola

Eleanor Kulik, on the left, is a regular customer at the Clothes 4U, for the past 5 or 6 years, and she’s seen here with Carol Zelenski, who runs the place.

Carol Zelenski, from Belle Vernon, runs Clothes 4U at First United Methodist Church in Belle Vernon, which has been operating for 15 years.

The dedicated volunteers are as follows: back row on left, Lenora Zelenski; in front left, Linda Morgan; in middle front, Carol Zelenski; right front, Jackee Caton; 2nd row, Trent Hawk; beside Trent, Shay Hawk; far right in back, Jackie Dewitt. (Faithful volunteers not pictured include: Nancy Snyder, Cindy Wilson, Lorraine Stickel, and Jimmy Butler.

Backroom in the Clothes 4U shopping area. It is full of both neatly kept children’s and adults’ clothes and shoes.

Front room of the shopping area of Clothes 4U, which must be cleared out regularly for other activities.

A mission group in the Mon Valley area is supplying free clothes and shoes to the public, and they want to be sure that people are aware of this special place. ‘Clothes 4 U’ is located at The First United Methodist Church, 200 State St., Belle Vernon.

They are open on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Their clothes are beautiful, stylish, and not to mention, free! The Clothes 4U Ministry is in the church's downstairs social hall, and the community has been generous with donations, but they are always accepting more. They have estimated 50-60 shoppers come in twice a month to pick out clothing. Each client may select 10 free items each visit, which equals 500 plus items each time the shop is in operation.

Carol Zelenski, of Belle Vernon, oversees the invaluable ministry. “We help a lot of people. We have worked with fire victims, homeless people, nursing homes, etc., and just ordinary people who need clothing. We are here to help all,” said Zelenski.

Zelenski could not say enough about her volunteers upon my visiting their location. “We have the best girls floating around,” she said, describing how much they mean to her.

She continues, “You asked me what I like most about our mission. It is the people, and the idea that we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Be kind and be friendly. That doesn’t cost a lot of money.” And that is what Zelenski and her wonderful staff accomplish in life by helping others, which is what life is all about.

In June, Clothes 4U is open on June 9 and 23, and in July, on the 14 and the 28, from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon. A big thank you to those who operate this program! You are helping people more than you even know! We can’t forget those of you who donate to this program, also—thank you, too!

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