CULLMAN, Ala. – Choice Rentals is putting on its inaugural charity car, truck and bike show, the “Cruise-In for Curt’s Closet,” this Saturday, and has named Curt’s Closet (CC) as the first beneficiary of its new tradition. According to CC founder Ashley Wilson, the daughter of Choice Rentals’ manager was a classmate of her late son Curt Wilson. CC is a charitable ministry that provides clothing and accessories for children of families in need.
The event will take place Saturday, July 27 from noon until 5 p.m. at Choice Rentals, 1634 Second Ave. SW, Cullman.
Organizers said, “There will be fun, prizes and a first-place trophy for each division. Shirts are available and there is a chance to win a 55″ 4K smart TV.”
Said Wilson, “From what I understand, they wanted to start doing a charity day once a year, and I was pleased about that!”
CC saw its resources depleted and shelves emptied by large numbers of clients this summer and has been working to catch up with the help of a caring community. Photos of empty shelves posted on social media last week were recently replaced by pictures of stacks of clothing.
Wilson shared, “As always, this community always steps up and shows out! Our shelves are full, and we’re prepared for this busy back-to-school season, which I think- as of today- just for July, we’ve already seen 153 children. So, you can imagine how busy July’s been. It is a lot of kids, and I feel it!”
Plenty of folks have turned out to help restock CC, including the St. John’s Church 55 Alive group, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Welti, Lavish Boutique, Three Pears and numerous individuals and other businesses.
Said Wilson “We’ve had so many individuals, I mean seriously, probably about 30 individuals bring in just bags full of new clothing, and it has been amazing. We’ve always been blessed with supporters, but this year back-to-school has been- I mean, it’s been extraordinary; it’s unbelievable, actually.”
Wilson shared a story that shows why CC does what it does:
“We had a young man, approximately 12-13 years old, come in today, and when he found a new pair of shoes in his size his face lit up; it was truly priceless. It was like Christmas for him. He kept pulling them out of the box showing me different details on them that he liked the best. This precious child explained to me how excited he was to wear a new pair of shoes to school and then he added, ‘I have never had a brand new-new pair of shoes!’ Moments like this let me know I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. And it is because of the support of this community I can.”
Get involved
In spite of recent large donations, CC has an ongoing need for undergarments and socks, which the ministry only gives out as brand new items, for obvious reasons. If you’d like to help, Monograms Plus, 103 First Ave. NE in downtown Cullman, is currently sponsoring an undergarment and sock drive. The shop will match donations, which, according to Wilson, “will be a huge blessing for our need of those items.”
To register your vehicle for the Cruise-In
Contact Choice Rentals at choicerentalsal@yahoo.com, 256-739-7171 or www.facebook.com/choicerentalscullman. Registration is $30.
Find out more at www.facebook.com/events/444638479706051.
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