Judy. Ted and I have volunteered almost since we’ve been married. It feels good—a pretty selfish act, actually—and there’s always someone or someplace that needs help. Furthermore, it’s a terrific way to meet people. Since we’ve been traveling, it’s been more important than ever to us.
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| The Thrift House on Prince |
In Athens, where we typically settle in Georgia, we began volunteering through our church at the Emmanuel Thrift House. If you know me at all, you know that it’s perfect for me, as I’m a long-time thrifter, having begun over forty years ago when I was pregnant with our daughter Leslie. Quite a bit of the furniture we had in our home back in the day came from second-hand stores. Almost all of my clothes come from thrift shops, where I can find good quality, stylish clothes at a fraction of the cost. (Every hard-core thrifter has a version of “This cashmere sweater? Picked it up for three bucks!”) It’s also been helpful for both of us as we’ve traveled and found a need for a jacket or pair of pants. Once in Santiago we volunteered to help paint bedrooms in a girls’ home, and located a charity shop where we picked up clothes we could get paint on.
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| Lots to choose from! |
The Thrift House is a great second-hand shop, and most of that is because of Leah, the manager. She’s easy-going to work for, and really knows her clientele and prices. Furthermore, folks with money donate quite a bit here, often with store tags still attached. On any given day you can find Leah in the back, researching the original the cost of something online. She’s got a great crew, too, and all clients are welcome, from collectors to moms saving money, to college kids, to the quite obviously poor. Everything is affordable. Out front is a “Dollar Rack”, usually nice clothes with a stain or small tear, or even clothes she just doesn’t have room for any more. (I found my favorite white linen blouse there several years ago.) There is a box of “freebies” near the door. And the items for sale are reasonably priced.
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| Leah prices the clothes |
In addition to clothing for all ages, there are books, dishes, linens, electronics, and some furniture. Ted tests and repairs electronics, and I steam and tag clothes. The volunteers are helpful, and fun, and have become something of a community for us.
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| Ted in his element |
Last year the church gave over $150,000 in outreach funds, mostly to local charities, and much of that money came from the Thrift House. We’re pretty proud to be a part of it. If you happen to come to Athens, Georgia, stop in.
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| David straightens the shelves |