CiCi Holmes paints faces with fun designs at the book giveaway event hosted by The Blessings Closet at Morgan’s Grove Park on Sunday afternoon. Holmes is The Blessings Closet founder Rhonda Gales’ niece. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Rhonda Gales started The Blessings Closet as a way to honor her mother and father and their efforts to share a holiday meal as her parents had done. Over the years since it was founded, the nonprofit has grown to offer much more than a meal to so many individuals.

On Sunday afternoon, young people in the community were the recipients of Gales’ passionate project, as they arrived at Morgan’s Grove Park to select books to take home.

“I am a reading advocate. It’s something I have done since childhood,”Gales said, sharing that her goal for Saturday’s book giveaway event aligned with the focus on education, as part of the premise behind The Blessings Closet.

“Clothing, food and education are the focus,” Gales said. “This is to encourage the enjoyment of reading and give kids some time away from electronics long enough to read a good book.”

Gales said she simply put out a solicitation that she needed kid’s books and the response was overwhelming. Books available at Saturday’s event were donated, not only by individuals and families, but also by the Shepherdstown Library and Williamsport High School.

“My friend Cherri Branson, from Silver Spring, Maryland, donated workbooks for those in grades 1-6,” Gales added, mentioning that Branson is originally from Shepherdstown and is still involved with the area, as she fills a seat on the board of directors for the Blessings Closet.

Children, along with their parents, were able to select books that struck their interest as well as to enjoy hot dogs off the grill, listen to music provided by Braeden Lee, Gales’ cousin and have face painting done by CiCi Holmes, Gales’ niece visiting from Florida.

Since its inception, The Blessings Closet has been about family and Gales’ family steps up to assist her in any area in which she finds a need.

“The whole charity has been a blessing,” Gales said. “The people who step up when I want to do something and the support from the community is wonderful.”

“We are teaching the lesson of service for others,” Gales pointed out, adding that she is always in need of volunteers for various projects.

Visit www.theblessingscloset.com to contact Gales and learn more about the organization and all it does for the local community.

Currently, there is not a fixed location for The Blessings Closet. Gales partners with the Shepherdstown Fire Department and some local churches to host events. She is in search of a space that would allow The Blessings Closet to more fully cater to those in need.