CULLMAN, Ala. – Curt’s Closet is on a mission to ensure children in the community know they are loved, valuable and important. This mission is achieved through the selfless work of staff and volunteers at the nonprofit, along with invaluable community donations of new and gently used clothing. Community donations are what arm temporarily or long-term struggling and underprivileged children with clean, fashionable clothing, shoes, undergarments and accessories. The closet is set up like a department store, allowing clients to “shop” for needed items.
“Curt’s Closet has over 2,700 visitors to our free clothing boutique each year. Each client receives 10 items of clothing, a pair of shoes, a backpack, socks and underwear at each visit. It is a very large operation that takes four staff members and countless volunteers to operate,” said Curt’s Closet Founder Ashley Wilson. “Clothed in Cullman provides the necessary funds to make our work possible! We are so grateful for this community and the way that they have rallied around our work.”
Serving thousands of local children each year, Curt’s Closet holds an annual fundraiser to involve the community in its outreach. The event is not only about raising funds, but also about fostering a sense of pride and connection within the community. The fundraiser – Clothed in Cullman – will take place this year on Thursday, May 9.
The benefit, begun in 2019 by the Curt’s Closet board and Wilson, is the organization’s main source of monetary support. Over the past four years, the event has quickly grown and gained community support, most recently with over 350 guests in attendance.
One of the evening’s special beneficiaries is the Bless Your Sole shoe drive Curt’s Closet holds during back-to-school time, providing over 2,000 brand-new pairs of shoes to local students. Curt’s Closet’s holiday-themed endeavor, Curt’s Christmas, will also see the benefits of the fundraiser. Curt’s Christmas partners with local organizations and families to fulfill the Christmas lists of children of families in need of assistance.
A live and silent auction will be in the evening’s lineup, with over 100 items up for bid including three-day Rock the South passes, two electronic passes for all Cullman High School’s regular season athletic events, as well as baked goods and sweets from local bakers and artisans such as Cullman Bakehouse, The Duchess Bakery, Lana Byrd, Amber’s Delights and more.
The crowd favorite Heads or Tails game will return to the 2024 event; attendees can buy a chance to play a lively game of Heads or Tails, vying for the chance to win hundreds of dollars in gift certificates and cards, all generously donated by local businesses and sponsors. The winners of each round will continue to the coin toss, hoping that luck will be in their favor and they will win it all.
“(It’s) winner takes all,” laughed Wilson. “Last one standing wins, and wins big. It is so much fun.”
Clothed in Cullman will take place Thursday, May 9, at Stone Bridge Farms. Doors open and the silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. with the live auction starting and dinner served at 6:30.
Tickets are $60 each, or tables can be purchased for $500. Buy tickets online at https://auctria.events/ClothedinCullman.
Stone Bridge Farms is located at 281 County Road 717 in Cullman. Find out more about Curt’s Closet at www.facebook.com/cw20curtscloset.
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