THRIFT STORE HELPS CLIENTS, STAFF

For Community Thrift Store manager Donna Chubb, creating a place where clients feel at home is what the store is all about. “There’s something about the work,” says Chubb. “It’s not just a store, it’s a community.” In 2005, the Surrey Firefighters’ Charitable Society was looking at finding another way to give back to the com- munity, something they have done for many years. Fire fighters Jon Caviglia and Terry Hunt approached Yves Thibeault from the Surrey Hospice Foundation about forming a partnership to open a thrift store in Newton. The fire fighters had the manpower to transform the vacant space at 72 Avenue and King George Boulevard, and Surrey Hospice had the volunteers ready to help. The match proved to be perfect. “It seemed to be a great partnership from the beginning,” says Caviglia. “Both sides had something to offer, and really, it went quite smoothly.” Over the last eight years, the thrift store has developed at loyal clientele, with many of the items donated being new brandname items from clothing, to furni- ture, to small appliances.

STORE: CUSTOMERS ARE TOP PRIORITY: For volunteer Mae Garland, years working in customer service proved extremely valuable experience for the thrift store. “Spending time with the customers is what it’s all about,” said Garland. Before coming to the thrift store, she had volunteered with hospice for many years. “I’m a real people person. It’s good company for me,” she says. For Judy Hunt, mother of firefighter Terry Hunt, spending time at the store has been a tremendous experience. Having been a cashier at a grocery store for more than 30 years, volunteering at the store was a natural transition. “When I retired, my son didn’t want me to get bored so I’ve been at the store since the beginning,” says Hunt. “And I also recently lost my husband, so it’s nice to have people around.” Since 2005 the store has averaged 84  volunteers a year donating nearly 10,000 hours of their time, but they are always looking for more people to come on board. The thrift store has also proven to be an effective tool in the Surrey Fire Department disaster assistance program, offering basic household items to people who are looking to get back on their feet following a fire. “We’re not just a thrift store,” says Chubb. “It’s a fun place. There’s just a lot of joy.” The Surrey Firefighters Community Thrift Store is located at 7138 King George Blvd. It is open Monday to Saturday, 10a.m. to 5 p.m. Dontations of good quality household goods, electronics, art, linens and clothing are welcome. For more information, call 604-599-9930 or email thriftstore@surreyhospice.com

Fast facts:

• Volunteer hours, 2005 to 2012: 96,851
• Hours per week: 252
• Total Number of volunteers since inception: 676
• Average volunteers per year: 84
• Donations brought to the store per week: 382,822 pounds
• Bags donated every day (average): 88
• Volunteer driver hours 2005 to 2012: 4,552

By Evan Seal: eseal@surreyleader.com