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Richard and Jane Miller are pictured with some of the bandanas and do-rags they send out for the nonprofit Ministries of Project Happiness. Provided

One of the rooms for women's clothing, also features purses and shoes. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

This room showcases the housewares the store has for sale. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Chad Schrankler is the new volunteer store manager for the Ministries of Project Happiness thrift store on Hawthorne Street. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Ministries of Project Happiness Thrift Store manager Chad Schrankler puts canned food on shelves at the entry of the store that are available for people in need. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

An Albert Lea ministry is continuing in its efforts to make do-rags and bandanas for cancer patients and the homeless across the country despite the recent death of one of its founders.

Richard Miller, who operated the nonprofit Ministries of Project Happiness Thrift Store, died unexpectedly on April 3.

His wife, Jane Miller, said she found her husband on the floor on April 1 after what doctors concluded was an aneurysm, and he was taken to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, where he died two days later.

She said in addition to the shock from the unexpected loss of her husband, she was in a panic because she figured that without her husband, she would have to shut down the thrift store and quit the nonprofit.

Jane said she and her husband started the nonprofit Ministries of Project Happiness about 16 or 17 years ago.

“I have a passion for helping the homeless,” she said, noting her father also served on the board of directors for a rescue mission in California.

While living in Albert Lea, their effort was first in their home on Newton Avenue until she brought up the idea of opening up a store elsewhere because of the number of donations they were receiving. The store was first in Skyline Plaza before moving to its current location on Hawthorne Street around Christmas. The owner of the current building donates the space to the organization.

The thrift store over the years has raised the money needed to make and ship do-rags and bandanas to various states across the country. When Richard was still alive, he operated the store, while Jane made all of the do-rags and bandanas that were sent out with donated sheets or fabric.

With the loss of Richard, Jane said Chad Schrankler stepped forward to be the volunteer manager for the store. The ministry also has about six other volunteers. She will continue making the do-rags and bandanas and will also operate the nonprofit as president.

She said over the years, the ministry has given out over 112,000 do-rags and bandanas across 49 states. The do-rags and bandanas come with a card for the “ABCs of Salvation” and have become known as a “ministry in a bag.”

Schrankler said he started as manager of the thrift store just a few days after Richard’s death. He and other volunteers continue to sort through donations and make improvements.

He said while he will try to honor his predecessor’s efforts with the space, he also has a vision for moving the store forward and hopes to help it grow. He also hopes to keep things fresh for customers with new items out regularly.

The space includes a front entry area, along with a room for children’s games and toys; rooms for clothing; a room for housewares; a room for books, DVDs, VHS tapes, cassettes and vinyl records; and another room for miscellaneous items. It also has a small food pantry in which people in need can pick up food items free of charge.

Schrankler said people who want to help the cause can come shop in the store or drop off donations of clothing, housewares and sporting goods. He encouraged people to call ahead if they have a donation.

The store, at 1521 E. Hawthorne St. B, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. on Saturdays.

He said items are affordably priced, and there will be some days with $1 sales. He encouraged people to look to Facebook for information about sales.

Jane said people can also donate gently used or new sheets and fabric. Right now, she is low on children’s fabrics.

The fabric can be dropped off on the porch of 807 S. Newton Ave. Monetary donations can also be mailed to the same address.

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