Person looking through clothing rack ()
Volunteering can be such a fulfilling activity. Every other month, we will highlight a new organization or event for those who are looking to learn more about the services and resources available to them as well as for those who are looking to give back to the community.
This month we are featuring military community thrift stores. Popular among frugal families and treasure finders alike, thrift stores are a place where you can bring a couple of dollars and leave with new-found possessions, upcycling projects (or maybe just a much-needed coffee pot). I interviewed Leslie Leyba and Shelby St. Gelais from the Grafenwoehr and Vilseck Thrift Stores as well as Aleks Gatchell and Brynne Hamer from the Hohenfels Thrift Store, and they shared some insights into what it was like to volunteer with the stores.
Grafenwoehr and Vilseck Thrift Stores
Both Leslie and Shelby joined the Bavaria Community Spouses’ Club (BCSC) within a month of PCS’ing to the area and quickly found themselves volunteering with the thrift store. Leslie currently serves as the President of BCSC, and Shelby is Vice President. They perform a variety of tasks for the store such as sorting donations, helping with displays or helping guests find that much-needed item for their new home.
When asked about the fulfilling aspects of volunteering with a thrift store, Leslie talked about how the proceeds from the store go directly to community outreach and scholarships. Shelby shared a story about a family: these three and four-year-old girls who come in once a week to buy something with a themed focus, such as crafting and drawing. Shelby found joy in showing the girls the notebook and crafting section. It took her back to her childhood when she made dollar store trips with her pop-pop, and she described it as “realizing this was that trip for them every week… those moments make it all worth it.”
However, working with a constantly moving group of volunteers can be, as the ladies described the process a “learning curve,” but also an opportunity for growth. Volunteers come from all backgrounds, from the new military spouse at their first duty station to a retiree with decades of experience. There is one volunteer who is an electronics expert and his main job at the stores is ensuring that all the donated electronics are in working order before they go to the sales floor.
Volunteering with the thrift stores allows people to not only give back to their local community but also provides them an outlet to connect with their community. Both Leslie and Shelby were motivated to volunteer in search of “finding their tribe.” Shelby noted that “it is amazing how quickly connections are built.”
The thrift store is a vital component of the military community. Proceeds from the store go right back to the military community and on-post organizations such as USO’s “Dinner on Us” program or the community tree lighting as well as grants and scholarships. Excess donations go to the German Red Cross. BCSC has a goal of donating $100,000 back to the community between September 2022 and May 2023 and as of December 2022, they have already reached $60,000. You can help them achieve that goal by donating new and gently used items to the store as well as going to the store and finding your next treasure.
Those interested in volunteering at the Grafenwoehr and Vilseck thrift stores should know that up to 10 hours of childcare can be paid for per month for volunteers, and they receive a discount at the store. If you are interested in volunteering at the thrift store, reach out to the stores’ Facebook pages at facebook.com/vilseckthriftshop/ or facebook.com/grafenwoehrthrift or just walk into the store and fill out a short form.
Hohenfels
Aleks has been with the thrift store since September 2022 when she first moved to Germany and just “couldn’t stay in the hotel waiting for things to happen.” She worked previously with the thrift store in Brussels, Belgium. Aleks does many different things for the store such as sorting donations, customer service and training new volunteers. Brynne took over as the President of the Hohenfels’ Spouse Club in June 2022 and began working with the thrift store through that role. Brynne does more oversight for the store and has recently organized and supervised a reset to the store that made finding items more efficient, which allowed for not only an ease in shopping for the customer, but also led to an increase in proceeds. Brynne noted that “ these Thrift Shop proceeds are funds we can give back to the community and that is something that is important to us."
When asked about the fulfilling aspects of volunteering, Aleks stated that it was “meeting all of the people and being a part of the community.” Brynne reiterated how the proceeds from the store go toward welfare grants and scholarships for the community. For example, “Bright Eyes” is a program sponsored by the thrift store proceeds that provides eyeglasses for dependent children. Brynne also noted how the items at the shop are much cheaper than they would be at other stores and having those items is “helpful for the community,” especially for those first moving into the community when expenses are already often high.
Volunteering with the thrift stores allows people to not only give back to their local community but also provides them with a new and stronger skill set. Aleks described how working with a constantly shifting volunteer base allows for growth among the workers. Aleks also talked about volunteers gaining retail and customer service skills that translate well into the workforce. Aleks helps other volunteers cultivate their interests such as book-keeping and merchandising. She also noted how volunteers get the perk of “getting first dibs” at the items that come in. Brynne has gained a greater appreciation of the retail world now that she has become so immersed in it, stating “there is always something new.” Because of the donation-based structure of the store, there is always an “ever-changing” inventory of items on the shelves to cater to the wants and needs of the community. Brynne also noted how great it is that you can interact with a variety of people through the thrift store, "from contractors to civilians, retirees [and] family members.” There is no telling who, or what, will walk through the door and what stories might come with them.
Those interested in volunteering at the thrift store can reach out via their Facebook page, facebook.com/HohenfelsThriftShop, email the manager at tsmanager.hohenfelscsc@gmail.com, or sign-up through VMIS, the Volunteer Management Information System at vmis.armyfamilywebportal.com/.
