Janet’s Drawers and How it all Began
By Cindy Adler, former parishioner and Surprise Shop Chairperson.
In 2019, Cindy and her husband Chris moved to Charleston, SC,
but they remain beloved friends of both Trinity Church and the Surprise Shop.
“Janet’s Drawers” was my sister Janet Radcliffe’s brilliant idea. Janet came to the Surprise Shop in the spring of 2013 while in the middle of cancer treatment. Always a very active and social person who loved to laugh, she needed a place to contribute and engage with people while allowing for days when cancer treatment kept her at home. I was a parishioner of Trinity Church and knew a bit about the shop and donating items for sale. I adored the ladies and Bill Hall who volunteered at the shop. They were a friendly and welcoming group. After church one day I suggested to the shop’s manager, Erin Beyland, that my sister would make a great volunteer. She agreed and we encouraged Janet to join the community of shop volunteers. It was a perfect fit.
A few years before her cancer diagnosis, Janet closed her store, Gloria Jeans Coffee at Towson Town Center. She was one of those rare employers who offered young people their first work experience. Think for a moment what it takes to patiently teach a young teenager what work is all about. She was very good at providing all facets of job training to young people. After Janet closed her shop, our brother Michael Radcliffe was stricken with ALS. Without hesitation Janet put her life on hold to care for him. The importance of family and coworkers was vital to Janet’s life.
The Surprise Shop’s newest volunteer could be found at the front of the store working the cash register, writing contracts on consignment days, and assisting all the people who the Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC) referred to the shop for clothing and housewares. She also recruited me to volunteer!
Janet quickly realized that some of the shop’s needy customers were desperate for new undergarments and socks. From her own funds, she started buying these items to meet this need. Everyone at the shop loved the idea and speedily found a lovely painted bureau for storage of these goods. Many customers and volunteers donated toward this ministry. Eventually, everyone started referring to this bureau as “Janet’s Drawers,” and my sister loved it!
It has been nine years since Janet passed away. My siblings and I love that the Surprise Shop continues to sustain Janet’s memory in the ministry of new undergarments and socks for the needy in the Towson community. It’s a perfect fit!
