Save and Serve Thrift Store Christmas Open House – part II main article

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • September 26, 2011
  • 335
                        
Save and Serve serving in the spirit of the season Save and Serve Thrift Store is a year around favorite for shoppers, but it is during the Christmas season that the store really shines, thanks to the efforts of its approximately 250 volunteers. “We definitely could not do what we do without our volunteers,” insists co-manager Helen Glick. The store will host its fourth annual Christmas Open House Nov. 24 through 29, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each morning, with volunteers transforming the store into a breathtaking display of holiday cheer. “The Open House presents everything in a spectacular way every day,” said Glick’s co-manager Eric Raber. “On top of that, we restock about 2,000 additional items per day. Don’t miss the first day, but if you do, don’t worry, there are many more things being added.” Although Save and Serve Thrift store is operated by a local board of directors, is staffed by local people, and is patronized by the surrounding community, all of the money raised goes directly to the Mennonite Central Committee. That group is dedicated to ‘pursuing justice and building peace, having enough food for today and tomorrow, improving access to vital water resources, bringing learning and education within reach, health issues, including taking action to end AIDS, and meeting urgent needs during emergencies and disasters’ in 60 countries around the world. “It’s a mission that a lot of folks in the community buy into and appreciate. They are glad to help out,” commented Glick. Raber agrees with his co-worker’s assessment of the community support that makes Save and Serve work, saying, “Part of the thing that is special about the volunteering, is that it fits with our desire to give to the community, and it is a way to share your own gifts and experiences. A lot of volunteers have life experience, and can use those talents for those here in Holmes County, and also for those we benefit around the world.” Nyoka Boley is credited with doing much of the behind the scenes work at Save and Serve. “Nyoka is the workhorse here,” said Raber. “She is constantly, every day, evaluating items, pricing them, packaging them, and storing them in our warehouse until the holiday season comes up. She knows what our customers will like, and where the interest is. That is the merchandise we put out in the store. Other items might go for recycling or salvage.” “What’s especially fun is when someone donates a nicer item, specifically because they see that those are the items we are putting out in the store,” continued the manager. “They think about how that will add to Save and Serve. There is lots of hustle bustle here every day. There may be 40 volunteers working at one time, including processing the items.” Ruby Miller and Janice Miller put their heads together to create unique displays, and find ways to make old things new. ““We have some beautiful wreaths,” said Ruby. “We rejuvenate them. The things that come in, we take them and turn them into something beautiful. Antique pieces come in that cannot be found anywhere else. We do get some really unique things in here that are older, like vintage items from your own childhood.” Two weeks after the Open House, the Christmas gifts arrive on the store shelves. “We have a lot of new items that are donated, and we market them as potential Christmas gifts. There is anything that you might find in a store. We have clothing, house wares, shoes, toys, anything new,” noted Boley. “Many things still have the tags on them, or are still in the boxes.” “Volunteering is life giving, being a part of something bigger than yourself, serving others, and developing community and friendship. One of the things with the Christmas spirit that is here is the friendship that our volunteers share,” pondered Raber. “We would not know each other, except for being a part of a workers’ volunteer community here at Save and Serve.” Hours for the Save and Serve Christmas Open House are Monday through Saturday, Nov. 24-29, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday. The store is located at 1108 South Washington Street, Millersburg, OH. 330-674-1323


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