Last fall, Johnelle Donnell’s daughter told her about an incredible book she read that prompted her to “tidy up” her life. The book inspired her to address all of the items she had accumulated and when she was finished, 26 bags were stuffed with “stuff.”
Donnell read “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo and she was also ready to divest herself of the “stuff” that she had also accumulated over the years.
“Kondo says we keep items for three reasons — their functional value, informational value or sentimental value,” Donnell said. “She says it is important to handle each piece individually, asking yourself, ‘Does this spark joy?’ If it has lost its spark and no longer gives you joy, put it in the discard box. She says the intention is to only keep things that give us joy. Everything we discard (donate) has served its purpose for us and will have an opportunity to give someone else joy.”
Donnell was ready to tackle the first category when she realized she didn’t have a good place to take the clothing she needed to discard.
“Many women had told me they wanted their clothing to go to the women of Faith Refuge, not to the Faith Resale Center,” Donnell said. “But I knew why that doesn’t really work. The clients at the Refuge are only allowed to have seven outfits while there. Storage is scarce, after all, and each client only has a half-size locker and the space underneath half of a twin bed — that’s it. Can you imagine them dealing with hand washable or dry clean only clothing? That is impossible in a shelter. The shelter has only enough storage space to keep what is really needed when women come into the facility with nothing.”
Donnell’s next thought was that women needed a way to sell their clothing for a higher price than would bring at a resale store, and then give the proceeds to the women of Faith Refuge. She shared her idea with other women. Then, she bought several copies of Kondo’s book and shared them with friends who she knew had a heart for the women at Faith Refuge. Several meetings and almost a hundred books later, Donnell and a committee of dedicated women are ready to go with their idea.
Faith Fashion Boutique will be set up April 6 and 7 at First Presbyterian Church, 3601 Taft Blvd. The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is $5. Proceeds go to Faith Refuge.
“Faith Fashion Boutique is a one-time sale of ladies’ gently used upscale clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes, scarves, hats, belts and other accessories,” Donnell said. “We want to ask our stylish friends to select at least 10 personal items that are of high quality and brand, share them with us, let us sell them so we can bless the women of Faith Refuge through our generosity.”
Donations can be brought to First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop-off location is the southwest entrance at the corner of Kirk and Taft St. in the Harvey Conference room.
For more information, email svordenbaum@ymail.com.
Sixty years of ministry
“Wichita Falls Faith Mission has had one goal for 60 years ― to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help men, women and children get off the streets,” Steve Sparks, CEO of Faith Mission, said. “Following in the great heritage of our founders, we are privileged to see countless lives changed forever because of what God is doing.”
Faith Mission is celebrating six decades of ministry in Wichita Falls by releasing a documentary of its history and the organization’s belief that “Every Story Matters.” The documentary contains a touching true story of a life that was forever changed. The video also shares stirring insights into the world of homelessness.
In 1958, Faith City Mission began serving the homeless above the old Hornsby Heavy Hardware Store. Its name was later changed to Wichita Falls Faith Mission. The organization now serves the homeless at two shelter locations, Faith Refuge and Faith Mission. Faith Resale and Donation Center was added in 2007 to help provide funding for the ministry.
For a full version of the video, log onto faithmissionwf.org. Throughout 2018, Faith Mission will release more stories of transformed lives. Tens of thousands of people have been forever changed because of this ministry.
For more information, to schedule a tour of the shelters or invite Steve Sparks to speak to your church or organization, please call 723-5663.
Inspiring art
Explore the world of Emil Hermann at an exhibit called “Emil Hermann: Inspiration” at the Kell House Museum, 900 Bluff. The exhibit, which will be on display through March 29, shows how his work has inspired others.
Hermann came to Wichita Falls in 1919. It was here he saw an opportunity to paint not just commissioned pieces, but the art that called to him. He set up a studio downtown and began his journey to inspire his community. Best known for portraits and landscapes, Hermann also drew upon the works of past masters to inspire his art. This exhibit includes Hermann originals from private collections that have never been publicly displayed before. Interpretations of some of Hermann’s more well-known pieces by Wichita Falls Art Association artists are also on display.
For more information, call 723-2712.