Opening of the Community Care for Seniors Thrift Shop

The paper was taken down from the windows at 10am on Tuesday, August 28 to reveal the Community Care Thrift Shop at 281 Main Street in Picton. The volunteers and Community Care board members assembled to cut the ribbon and officially open the Thrift Shop signaling the commencement of Community Care’s newest fundraising initiative.

In his remarks, board chair Howard Johnston, noted that “the board is very pleased with the new initiative and we feel doubly blessed because it is raining this morning.” Mayor James Taylor offered best wishes from the municipal council noting that “you have embarked on a new adventure. Your volunteers have dedicated hard work to make it successful. I believe that this Thrift Shop will offer opportunities for people in this community.”

Barbara Snider, member of the Trillium Foundation local review team, told those assembled that it was a wintery day when the team met with Community Care to talk about the many plans the agency has for the future.

The Thrift Shop is one part of a multi-phased project and Community Care for Seniors gratefully acknowledged the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. The Foundation provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment and social service sectors.

Debbie Moynes, executive director for Community Care, was enthusiastic in her praise of the thirty-six volunteers who have agreed to help with the effort. Several of these volunteers assisted with the ribbon cutting. Ruth McDonald, thrift shop convenor, expressed her thanks to the volunteers and agency staff, saying “it takes many hands to prepare for such a grand opening.” Other volunteers helping to cut the ribbon were Pam VanWart, convenor of the sorting and pricing team; Joan Thissen, convenor of scheduling the customer service volunteers; and Gordon Scott, dedicated volunteer and handyperson.

The Thrift Shop focuses on household articles, furniture, small appliances & knick knacks and it is co-operating closely with other not-for-profit organizations in Picton and Wellington which operate used article outlets.

The overall goal of the project is to enhance the short and long term fundraising capacity of the agency which will result in improved services for seniors. Other parts of the project include opening an office in Wellington every Tuesday starting in September. Also the Meals on Wheels program will be augmented in October by provision of a new type of frozen meals that will offer choice and special diets.

Information on these enhanced services will be available shortly on Community Care’s updated Website.

The regular hours of the Thrift Shop are 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. Call 476-1555 or 476-7493 for information on dropping items at the shop.

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association is a not-for-profit organization which will celebrate 25 years of service to the community in 2002. The agency provides a range of services to seniors in the County. In addition to Meals on Wheels, services include transportation to medical and other appointments; Seniors’ Dinners in various locations; foot care clinics in Picton and Wellington; completion of Income Tax; assistance with other forms. Prince Edward Community Care is only partly funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care. The agency is required to raise almost 40% of its budget each year. This is accomplished through fundraising initiatives such as the new Thrift Shop, donations and membership sales. The office is located in The Armoury, 206 Main Street in Picton. Call 476-7493 for more information or email communitycare@on.aibn.com.