By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Volumes have been written about the philanthropic doings of Ann and Lou Messmer, who met in the Navy, married in 1944 and lived the rest of their lives in Lou’s hometown of Aberdeen.

This past week, their names were etched into local history by the primary beneficiary of those doings: the Grays Harbor Community Clothing Bank.

Ann was a founding member of the clothing bank, serving tirelessly as the nonprofit operation’s volunteer manager and director from 1971 until she resigned for health reasons in 2007. (She died in 2011.)

She worked shifts, raised funds and handled all the money during those years. “She was the only one who knew who all the anonymous donors were,” said daughter Maryann Welch.

“It shouldn’t surprise us that we spent our careers as managers — and, not to be boasting, but very successful managers,” said her sister Karen Messmer, her voice quavering with emotion.

“That’s right,” said Maryann. “She managed the house, and she managed the clothing bank, and she managed the family.”

Their father, a popular biology instructor at Grays Harbor College, helped with some legal and financial aspects during the nonprofit’s early years, then became much more actively involved after he retired. Lou’s efforts — from writing grants to hammering nails — were instrumental in the construction of its permanent facility in Aberdeen.

“He was completely engrossed in overseeing the construction of the new building,” said Karen.

“There’s no walls in the building, no divided spaces,” added Maryann. “They have lines of shelves and racks, and it’s like a clothing store. So they got to have the function that they really hadn’t had in any of the other buildings.”

After that building opened in 2005, Lou would visit regularly to check that proper records were being kept up, and to cast his botanist’s eye over the landscaping to ensure all was well there. He remained an active board member until just last year.

Now, the couple’s names will forever be associated with the operation they helped build — both literally and figuratively.

“(The board members) thought it would be fitting to give this building a name and call it the Messmer Building,” said Ron Hulscher, the nonprofit’s board president.

On Friday, less than a week before Lou’s 99th birthday, Maryann drove him from Pacific Care to the clothing bank for a “visit.” To his surprise, about 25 people greeted him there for a private dedication ceremony.

Among the attendees were four of the six Messmer offspring and their families; Pam Frost Ritter, the daughter of Connie Frost, in whose home the clothing bank originated nearly 50 years ago; a few longtime family friends; and many of the clothing bank’s volunteer staffers, including co-managers Pat Berbells and Mary Keinath (who, many years ago, was Maryann Welch’s third-grade teacher).

After a round of introductions that triggered laughter and warm memories, Hulscher sat down in a chair next to Lou at the front of the room and read him the formal declaration — quite loudly and clearly, as the honoree is a bit hard of hearing these days. He noted that Lou and Ann had been instrumental in “establishing a community clothing bank and then perpetuating its existence and operation to this very day.”

Hulscher then unveiled the commemorative plaques to be mounted both inside and outside the building.

Lou was visibly moved.

“I appreciate very much receiving all this attention,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see all you people again.”

He went on to acknowledge the efforts of everyone else involved with the clothing bank, adding with pride: “This is one of the few places where we’re able to keep going without additional help (from the outside).” That was a reference to the board’s longtime commitment to operate without government aid, relying solely on community donations.

Maryann Welch then presented Hulscher with a framed copy of a 1999 Daily World article headlined “Mrs. Messmer’s mission,” detailing Ann’s decades of work with the nonprofit. It, too, will be displayed inside the clothing bank.

“What pleases me is that we can do something while Lou is still with us,” said Hulscher. “Many people have a great deal of respect for Lou and what he has contributed to the community — not just the clothing bank, but as a citizen and an individual. It’s just pretty special to be able to do this.”

* * *

Grays Harbor Community Clothing Bank

301 N. G St., Aberdeen

(corner of Second and G streets)

360-532-1420

The clothing bank provides free clothing to individuals and families who are referred by social service agencies or local churches. It serves 3,000 to 4,000 people per year, relying solely on donations from the community.

Financial contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 1895, Aberdeen WA 98520.

New and gently used clothing and other items can be accepted only during business hours:

• Monday and Thursday, 9:30 to 11:45 a.m.

• Tuesday, 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

• Wednesday, 1 to 3 p.m.

* * *

Timeline

Late 1960s: The clothing bank started informally in Connie Frost’s basement in Aberdeen.

1971: Officially established as a nonprofit.

1989: The nonprofit bought a house on Third Street from the Carpenters Union and operated there until Weatherwax burned down, and the district needed the land to build a new high school. The district paid them $60,000 for the property.

2005: Bought land for, built and opened the current facility thanks to what Ron Hulscher calls “a Herculean effort” involving financial and in-kind help from dozens of corporate, foundation & individual contributors.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group Sisters Maryann Welch, left, and Karen Messmer sift through a stack of clipped articles written through the years about their parents.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group Lou Messmer shares a moment with clothing bank co-manager Mary Keinath, a longtime volunteer who also was Maryann Welchs third-grade teacher.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group Board president Ron Hulscher shows where the indoor plaque was to be mounted.