(from left to right) Debbie Mays, Barbara Boone, and Irene Booze stood in the midst of the "Kathleen McMillion Clothing Closet" on Wednesday morning during the Journal's visit to Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church.

Clothes Closet at Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church Going Strong After Nearly Five Decades By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (Jan. 15, 2026)— On Wednesday morning, the Alleghany Journal paid a nice visit to Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church, located at 544 Church Street, to speak with longtime members Barbara Boone, Debbie Mays, and Irene Booze. Currently, Boone is the primary organizer of their free clothes closet that has been going strong for nearly 50 years. However, there are numerous volunteers like Mays and Booze who are always eager to help out wherever they are needed. Started by Kathleen McMillion around 1977, McMillion ran the closet for 40 years until she gained her wings in 2017. Her husband, Mickey, joined her in paradise this past September. In honor of Kathleen's work at the closet, it was renamed the "Kathleen McMillion Clothing Closet" soon after her passing. These days, the closet runs much the same as it always has. It's currently open every second and fourth Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Everything in the clothing closet is free, unlimited, and without any requirements. In other words, there are no forms to fill out, no background checks, no financial requirements, and no limit to how many items one can take. "And if anybody has a fire or something like that, we're available other than our days that are open," Boone said. According to the organizer, lots of different people donate and they are always welcome. Simply leave the box in front of the side door (facing the library) or call the church at (540) 862-5775 to make arrangements. Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church is located at 544 Church Street near downtown Clifton Forge. The side door, located across the street from the Clifton Forge Public Library, is both the entrance to the "Kathleen McMillion Clothing Closet," as well as the primary doorway where donations are received. The "Kathleen McMillion Clothing Closet" got its name in honor of the incredible woman who started it all in the 70's.

* * * * *