About Us

In 2020, during the COVID shutdown, Lorretta Beghtol wanted to help people get essential items that had become difficult to obtain due to store closures and job losses. With necessities in short supply, she reached out to me, and together we brainstormed and created a Facebook group called Give It Up Mahaska We invited some of our Facebook friends, and as the group grew, I added my daughter, Lani Anderson, to help. As membership continued to increase, we brought in more admins, including my cousin Jessica.

The group was designed as a private space for friends to share items or trade services, with no monetary exchange involved. It became a recycling-style program where people posted photos of items they no longer needed, and others could claim them. Arrangements for pick-up or delivery were made within the group.

As the group expanded to nearly 4,000 members, it became clear that we needed a physical space to store the donated items. Initially, we took things to our homes, but we quickly ran out of room. Eventually, we partnered with Open Bible Church, where the pastors generously offered space to house the items. The group evolved into a resource hub, and we added a food pantry and medical loan closet alongside clothing and small furniture.

When Open Bible Church closed, we moved to St. Paul Church, which also became too small as our efforts grew. We then moved into a new location offered by a partner who was establishing another food pantry in town. Unfortunately, due to leasing issues, we had to relocate again. Now, we’re settled in a much larger, more convenient space at the mall, giving us greater autonomy.

We have officially registered as a nonprofit organization and are excited to apply for grants to continue expanding our mission. Our plans include holding board meetings, organizing new fundraisers, and extending our hours of operation.

We have PREVIOUSLY partnered with Mahaska County Emergency Management, Crisis Intervention Service, Hospice, SIEDA, and other local resources. We’ve provided items like tents, food, backpacks, and winter coats to the homeless and packed “GO” bags for women and children involved in domestic situations. We look forward to growing our impact and continuing to serve our community!

Meet Our Dedicated Board

Board of Directors

Sheila Guiter

Founder/President

Sheila is a registered nurse, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for her community. With a career rooted in compassion and resilience, she has spent years caring for others in their most vulnerable moments — and that same heart for service is what inspired her to build something bigger.
As the founder of her nonprofit, Sheila believes in creating opportunities that bring people together while meeting real needs. She is committed to serving with integrity, leading with action, and finding meaningful ways to make a lasting impact. Whether organizing fundraisers, rallying volunteers, or supporting families through difficult seasons, she shows up with both strength and sincerity.
Beyond her professional life, Sheila is a proud mother and grandmother who believes deeply in faith, family, and community. Her leadership style reflects who she is at her core — hardworking, compassionate, and unafraid to step forward when something needs to be done.

Cathy Griffis

Vice President

Cathy serves as our Vice President at The Climb, and she is truly invaluable to our team. She brings incredible taste, creativity, and a natural ability to design, craft, and organize everything she touches. From marketing efforts to building partnerships with local businesses who generously support us through donations, Cathy is always working behind the scenes to help us grow.
She has created our signage, keeps our store operations organized—from volunteer applications to sourcing shelves—and does it all with such kindness and grace. Cathy also plays a huge role in our auctions, thoughtfully grouping items, taking photos, and even opening her home as a pickup location.
She and her husband, Jack, share their home with their two sweet kitties, Poppy and Paisley, who often greet us during meetings she so generously hosts. Cathy’s love for her family and her deep care for our community shine through in everything she does.

Misty Bunnell

Treasurer

Misty is our treasurer at The Climb, and she is truly the backbone of our financial health. She manages our books with care and precision—tracking receipts, making deposits, and offering thoughtful financial insight every step of the way. Her experience comes not only from her role with us, but also from maintaining records and bookkeeping for her and her husband’s business, Master Builders.
Beyond the numbers, Misty is a powerhouse behind the scenes. She’s always ready to jump in—lifting, sorting, and organizing donations to keep the store running smoothly and looking its best. Her servant heart shows in the way she helps secure baked goods and crafts for auctions, and in her dedication to organizing events like our talent show, Shoes & Do’s, and craft shows.
Though she often works quietly in the background, her impact is anything but small. Misty has generously stepped in to help fill financial gaps when needed, and her giving spirit shines especially bright during our GIVE It Up Christmas program—where she not only gives personally, but rallies her friends and family to support through recurring donations.
We are so grateful for Misty’s dedication, strength, and generous heart. 💛

Brenda Sohm

Secretary

Brenda may be our secretary, but she is so much more than that. She has proven to be an invaluable volunteer—building shelves, maintaining our website, and designing our marketing signs and pamphlets with creativity and care.
Her organizational skills keep us on track, and her generous heart lifts everyone around her. Brenda is always learning, researching, and bringing fresh ideas to the table.
She also keeps us smiling with stories about her beloved pets—especially her cat, Kevin, who often steals the spotlight in her hilarious tales.
We are incredibly lucky to have Brenda as part of our team.

GIVE IT UP, MAHASKA!