What began as a simple social media post has now become an anticipated event by many.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, the Oakdale Enrichment Society will once again host Oakdale’s Annual Community Closet. The event will be staged from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.

“I just thought we could do a community clothes swap,” Mayor Cher Bairos said of the initial ideal in 2018.

Bairos, also the Vice President of OES, shared the thought came to her after looking at all the perfectly good clothing her children had outgrown. Clothes that likely could be used by someone else in the community. The idea quickly caught on and led to friendships with others wanting to help.

Lisa Ballard was one such volunteer when the idea first went out with an inquiry from Bairos on social media. Ballard, a longtime employee with Oakdale Joint Unified School District, shared she loved the idea from the very start.

“I will tell you, Lisa really packs in the volunteers,” Bairos said of the current OES President. “That is one of her strong points. She can get the volunteers.”

Ballard shared that each year over 400 families are served during the three-hour event. A number that size requires a lot of help to be not only staffed the day of but for the set up the week leading up to it. She relies on a total of 200 volunteers throughout the week to make the event successful.

“Volunteers are needed Monday, August 15 through Thursday, August 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” Ballard said. “Just come between those hours on those evenings to donate clothing or volunteer. If you can stay to help, that would be great. If you can’t we understand.”

“This is Lisa’s baby,” Bairos said of the annual event.

Ballard agreed, noting during her 35 years with OJUSD she’s aware of the need so many in the community have for an event such as the Community Closet.

“We want to help everybody …Valley Home, Knights Ferry. We don’t ask to see ID if they’re from Oakdale,” Ballard said, adding that the event is not restricted to a certain income level or demographic, either; it’s for everyone.

“I myself, the club president, I’ve taken clothes myself. There’s cute stuff,” Ballard shared. “I wear hand me downs.”

Though a lot of work, the annual event definitely comes with a payoff.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the children able to get anything they want,” Ballard continued. “Maybe a mother doesn’t have money to buy cowboy boots and there’s a pair of cowboy boots. Mom doesn’t have to say no. To see them smiling and happy, that gives me the most joy.”

“Just everybody pitching in. Everybody goes there. It’s not just one kind of family,” Bairos added. “It’s the community coming together. Even surrounding communities come.”

Bairos noted the interest and excitement for the event goes year-round, stating they have received texts throughout the year from those interested in either helping, donating, attending, or all of the above.

“Something that started out as a crazy idea has turned into something beautiful for our community,” she said.

It also wasn’t something envisioned originally as an annual event.

“But there was such a need. So many people reached out, dropped off clothes and helped. I was like, wow, this is the right thing to do. We can do that,” Bairos added.

As for this year, the organizers shared they no longer store clothing year-round or the weeks leading up to the event. Opening the Community Center the week of for the two-hour evening time slots has proven to be the easiest to manage. Items which are needed most are clothing of all sizes from newborn to 3X. Gently used clothing for all seasons. Sorting clothing by gender prior to donation is also helpful for those tasked with the set up.

“My happiest moment was a little girl last year said, ‘mommy can I have two dresses?’,” Ballard shared. “I went up to that little girl and said you can have as many dresses as you want. The mother just looked at me. She was just thrilled that she could have as many dresses as she wanted.”

Bairos echoed the sentiment of fondness for the event and personal highlights, sharing watching children fill bags with clothing and not needing to spend any money as very memorable.

“Bring your bags if you can. Most people have big tote bags,” Ballard concluded. “There’s no limit or fee. Just take what you’re going to use.”