Event Recap: Grace's Closet 2025

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Photo credits: Dan Meredith

For the past four years, Grace Episcopal Church has held its Community Outreach program, Grace's Closet, during which gently used dresses and suits are made available to area high school students in need. This year the event was held at The Turnverein in Carlstadt since Grace Episcopal Church is being renovated.

Before the event collection areas were set up throughout the community. The dresses, suits, jewelry, and shoes were later transported to the Grace's Closet location, The Turnverein. Collection areas this year included Grace Episcopal Church, Dan Meredith's Allstate Insurance Agency, BCB Bank of Rutherford, Elks Lodge #547, Christ Church of Short Hills, Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, Meadowlands YMCA, The Turnverein, and Mahwah Public Library. Langone Health had three locations to accept donations for Grace's Closet. Calvin Klein donated over fifty pieces and DrStylzz (follow them @drstylzz on Instagram) donated shoes.

This year 386 units of jewelry, including sets, necklaces, and earrings, were organized for high school students to select. There were approximately 1200 dresses, in various colors, sizes, and styles. Around 170 people were provided with dresses or suits. For the few who were unable to choose between two dresses, they took both and promised to pass on the extra dress as an act of kindness. Susan Muller, organizer of the event explained, "This is just one way to continue spreading the kindness."

Each year, the Grace's Closet Committee holds onto one hundred dresses and suits left over from the event for the next year. The rest are donated to other schools and community centers where high school students also need these donations. Over 300 dresses and clutches were donated to other high schools and youth programs in other areas.

Grace's Closet's Organizers and Volunteers

Susan Muller, Organizer of the Event, and Grace Episcopal's Reverend Dr. Karen Rezach

Grace's Closet organizers and volunteers are so grateful to the German club members and the other gathering groups at The Turnverein for their incredible hospitality. Many of the Turnverein's members and visitors brought in donations to add to the growing collection set up in its expansive hall. The hall is available for rent, and inquiries can be made by calling (201)-355-6389.