Meet Sally …
Five years ago, Sally was driving in her car, listening to the radio and contemplating about where she could volunteer to make a big difference in her life and the lives of others. She had been volunteering at another organization but felt that she wasn’t moving the yard stick in the direction that she wanted. Suddenly, an ad came on the radio stating a need for volunteers at Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands Brockville ReStore. Sally decided to give us a try and she hasn’t looked back since.
Sally signed up and started volunteering the very next week. Being a natural people person, she was very excited to help out and asked to work the cash so that she could meet the customers. Sally came with no expectations of what volunteering at our ReStore would entail but she was delighted to see happy people treasure hunting and finding the perfect items.
She heard others saying, “I can’t believe I found it and what a bargain!”
The inventory flies off the ReStore floor only to be filled up as quickly as it goes out the door.
“It is like a new store every day. I can’t believe the phenomenal quality of the donations, beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces, antiques, new and nearly new building supplies, appliances and light fixtures of all kinds and just recently we received a huge shipment of new clothing!”
Sally recounts knowing volunteering at Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands was the right thing for her. Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands is building homes and strong communities and that is a good news story. She remembers when she was a single Mom raising three children and said that if she had had the opportunity to own her own home what a privilege that would have been.
Meanwhile, Sally says that every day is a great day. She says the customers are grateful, they make her laugh and she works with wonderful staff and other volunteers. She especially enjoys treating the dogs that come to the ReStore with their owners with her secret stash of Milk Bones.
I asked Sally when she thought she would retire from her role at the store. She replied, “I’ll be going out feet first.”
Her message to others is simple, “If you are retired or semi-retired and you want to meet great people and help your community – volunteer.”
Volunteers are the lifeblood at Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands. Their energy, resourcefulness and enthusiasm are second to none. We thank you all for your generosity, spirit and creativity. We couldn’t do it without you.
In these difficult days of COVID volunteers are more important than ever to Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands. Please consider a donation of your time to a most worthy cause and make a difference in your life and the lives of others.