NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Lisa’s Dream Closet
Photos by Elissa Ebersold
“People bring in what they no longer need, and others find something useful. It becomes a full circle that gives new life to these items we put back into the community.”
In the quiet stretch of Ludlow Lane in North Greenbush, a small storefront glows with a warmth that draws people in before they even step through the door. Lisa’s Dream Closet, founded by Daniel O’Neill in memory of his late wife Lisa, has become a place where generosity feels both ordinary and extraordinary. What begins as a way for Daniel to keep Lisa’s spirit close now grows into a space that offers comfort and support to anyone who walks inside. Families find essentials, schools receive help, and neighbors rediscover how everyday acts of giving can strengthen an entire community. As the holiday season approaches, the store feels especially alive with that sense of shared care.
The heart of the shop traces back to Lisa herself. She loved thrifting and the small thrill of finding something special in unexpected places. She and Daniel often spent weekends exploring secondhand stores and garage sales, even while on vacation, letting those visits become a way to understand the character of a town. Today, her joy is woven into the fabric of the store. Each garment, each book, each household item carries a peaceful sense of possibility. Daniel often reflects on how natural it feels to continue something she loved so much, reminiscing that exploring thrift shops together “was just something that we enjoyed doing.” Now, he and a dedicated team of volunteers work each day to keep that feeling present for everyone who enters.
Lisa’s Dream Closet operates as a nonprofit that focuses on giving back in real and tangible ways. A major part of its mission supports Bell Top Elementary School and St. Jude the Apostle School. These organizations stood by Daniel and his family during Lisa’s struggle with breast cancer, offering care that extended far beyond academics. Teachers checked in, offered updates, and even visited the family during hospice to comfort the girls. Today, the store purchases school supplies for Bell Top, sponsors fun runs, and provides scholarship support in Lisa’s name. At St. Jude, Lisa’s Dream Closet helps families through tuition assistance. Daniel unabashedly believes that giving back simply feels right because these schools “helped with [my daughters] tremendously” and were “really great during that time.” The store’s continued support for autism awareness programs across the region reflects another meaningful part of the O’Neill family story and broadens the impact of their mission.
Much of the giving that happens at Lisa’s Dream Closet is gentle and unannounced. When a family loses their home to a fire or faces unexpected hardship, Daniel invites them to come in and take what they need without hesitation. Clothing, toys, kitchenware, bedding, and other essentials become immediate lifelines during difficult moments. The shop also helps children access sports camps and activities when cost becomes an obstacle. These small acts happen quietly and often privately, but they are the clearest expression of what the store stands for. “I just want to help people. I am not trying to make a headline out of everything.”
The community responds in kindness. Donations arrive constantly from North Greenbush, Troy, and nearby towns. Bags filled with clothes, books, household items, and toys show up at all hours, creating a steady, heartfelt rhythm of giving. Volunteers spend hours sorting and organizing so the store can stay welcoming and accessible. Daniel appreciates every person who contributes their time, though he admits the need for volunteers is ongoing as donations continue to grow. What drives the work is the spirit he describes as a remarkable cycle of generosity.
“People bring in what they no longer need, and others find something useful. It becomes a full circle that gives new life to these items we put back into the community,” Daniel says.
The store’s philosophy fits naturally into the region’s growing appreciation for sustainability. Every donated item avoids unnecessary waste, every purchase supports a child or family, and each small transaction sends help directly back into the community. What begins as a simple donation becomes someone else’s relief, and each connection helps build a more thoughtful and resourceful Capital Region.
Inside the shop, Lisa’s presence remains strong enough to feel. Daniel’s daughters lovingly call it Mommy’s store, and the space has become a living memory of her generosity. They see people helping one another every day and watch the ways their mother continues to touch lives through the mission that grew from her love of thrifting. What might seem like a collection of secondhand goods to a passerby is, for the O’Neill family, a warm and ongoing tribute to Lisa’s life.
As the holidays draw near, Lisa’s Dream Closet invites the Capital Region to step into its mission. Shoppers can discover gifts that carry a sense of history and comfort. Families who need support can reach out and know they will be met with respect and compassion. Volunteers who want to make an impact will find meaningful opportunities that connect them deeply with their neighbors. In a season filled with celebration and reflection, this little shop stands as a reminder that giving often begins with what we already have and choose to share. Through Lisa’s spirit and Daniel’s determination, the O’Neill family continues to guide the community toward deeper connection, renewed hope, and a shared belief in caring for one another.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/lisasdreamcloset/