by Amber Galea
Linda’s been working as a volunteer at the Thrift Store for twenty years. We met there one sunny afternoon during business hours. She was at work with a couple customers and her teammates, Donna, Beth, Johnnie, and Johnnie’s truck. Linda, Johnnie, and the truck hauled items, Donna and Beth complimented a customer trying on costume jewelry, everyone enjoyed a baby cooing in its stroller, and Linda counted change. That day, a necklace found a new home and the thrift store made a few bucks.
This team has been at it for a long time. Johnnie and his truck hauled the very first sale items from Audry’s home twenty-eight years ago. It was Audrey, who first campaigned for the Thrift Store, hence its official name, Audrey’s Closet. Audrey passed away shortly thereafter, but the Thrift Store continued. In fact, it grew. Today, the store has multiple rooms, thousands of items for sale, and three main goals. In addition to being a fundraiser that brings in ten to twelve thousand dollars a year, the store provides low-priced necessities to people with limited means. The store also redistributes necessities to the Rowland-McFerrin House, a home that GUUF provides for people transitioning from being houseless to living independently.
The Thrift Store team has been there for each other for so long that they’ve become their own covenant group. Now, they’re looking for some help. They need a volunteer to photograph some of the best items in store and post them on Craigslist. They also need someone to help grow their audience and promote the store to the community. The store is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 1:00. Please check it out sometime, maybe do some shopping, and introduce yourself if you can lend a hand.
