Ready, set, decorate!

We are now entering one of the busiest times of year for everyone, and the thrift store is no exception. The store is abuzz with seasonal and holiday items for sale, and our customers are having so much fun shopping and sharing with us their holiday plans. Volunteers are putting out items to sell throughout the day. Our ministry is an amazingly busy place 7 days a week. And I am honestly awed and humbled to watch it all take place.

In preparation for our annual volunteer appreciation Christmas party, I have counted the number of volunteers who make this all possible. Our ministry has over 110 active volunteers. This includes the ladies in the pantry who organize, sort, plan and pack non-perishable food to be passed out to individuals and families in need. This also includes the volunteers who "man the fort" in the We Care office, answering phone calls and meeting with individuals who need assistance. This includes the volunteers who work in the back of the store sorting items to be sold, the volunteers who take electrical items home to test and repair, and the volunteers who price items to be sold. And then there are the volunteers who work in the front of the store displaying items, helping customers, and working at the checkout counter. We also have students from high school earning hours toward graduation, and students with their job coaches learning job and social skills.

Everyone has areas of interest and expertise, and somehow this all comes together in an awesome way to make our ministry operate and continue to grow. The ministry grows in the number of clients that we serve, the extent that we are able to financially help, the number of organizations that we are able to contribute to, the number of volunteers that come to work, the number of goods sold and the net dollar amount of income. These numbers can be measured. This does not take into account what can not be measured. The friendships that are formed between volunteers, the friendships made with our customers, and the feeling of love and acceptance that radiates at our ministry. A customer found a sign that she requested to be hung behind our register, and not to be sold. It has remained in the same spot for almost a year now, and reads "This Is My Happy Place". It is a privilege not only to display it, but also to be able to live it daily. Many customers are known by our volunteers by their first name. We know what is happening in eachothers lives, families, and health struggles. We share, laugh, celebrate and grieve together. Customers tell us that they don't feel that their day is complete without seeing us, and need to get their daily dose of laughter in at our store. What a privilege it is to be able to spend the day at such a happy place.

As we get out holiday decorations and prepare for festivities, to look around and see the people who bring us happiness is such a blessing.

Now ready, set, and decorate!