good_cheer_thrift_stores » Good Cheer Blog

Good Cheer Thrift Stores – How They Work

Jan 292012

January 29, 2012 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

The Good Cheer Food Bank is funded almost entirely by your donations. Furniture, clothing, personal items and other goods brought to Good Cheer’s distribution center are cleaned and shipped out for sale at the Langley and Clinton thrift stores.

There is also a boutique clothing store called The Rack that is located in Clinton. The revenue derived from the stores helps pay for the food bank’s operation.

This is where it all starts as Good Cheer turns old furniture, clothes, appliances and knick-knacks into food for hungry families and individuals on South Whidbey. The items in high demand are house wares, linens, tools, books, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, antiques, jewelry, small appliances, and furniture. When considering donating items to Good Cheer, please ask yourself; “Is this something that I would buy. Are my donations clean, complete, usable and salable?”

To find out more about where to bring your donations and a list of items that we cannot accept click here.

If an item is donated and it is soiled; the expense of cleaning is just too much for Good Cheer. Some volunteers, in the past, actually would take the soiled clothing home and clean them. Obviously, that was not the answer.

The items are then sorted, placed into labeled boxes and put into storage. The volunteers then pull the boxes and the items are priced and placed in plastic containers. The truck drivers then deliver the merchandise to the two thrift stores and the Rack where it is merchandised and ready for sale.

If you find that the merchandise isn’t the right fit or just isn’t working remember that Good Cheer has a 3 day return policy. You can return the merchandise and receive a store credit.

Each sales ticket is marked with a date and after a period of time the item will repriced. There are a number of sales that take place and we will try to keep you informed on this blog. Remember, the Bag Sale, it happens on the first Tuesday of every month. You should note that some sales may exclude new merchandise. Be sure to check with the salesperson if you have any questions. They will be happy to help you out.

Just last year, phase two of our capital campaign provided for the renovation of our main thrift store in Langley. The renovation added an additional 1,140 square feet of retail space and will help to produce additional revenues for the thrift store. The renovation will positively impact the community by providing a greater amount of affordable clothes and household goods, and by increasing profits to support the Good Cheer Food Bank.

This year marks the 50^th year of Good Cheer’s presence on South Whidbey and we need to be mindful of how far we have come and what support we are now capable of offering our community. We have built a very strong foundation for the food bank and it will serve this community very well.

Just click on the photo above and you can see the changes that have taken place at the Langley Thrift Store.

To support your local food bank click here.

Good Cheer!

Design by Good Cheer – Thrift Stores

Mar 202011

March 20, 2011 Posted by Mark Clawson No Responses »

The Good Cheer Thrift Stores can help you achieve that “design on a dime” look for your home. The fact is that all of the items pictured in this post came from our thrift stores…….pretty amazing don’t you think!

Thrift stores are a funny thing. At first sight they seem to be nothing but a jumble of junk; how could there be anything that you would ever want. We all know that someone else’s junk can be another’s treasure and you need to mindful of the many wonderful donations that find their way to our stores. Shopping our thrift stores helps to fight hunger and you may become the next thrift store king or queen?

Items for the kitchen.

Desks

Sofas

The exhilaration of the find is what drives most to the thrift store. You may not find something on your first visit, but, chances are that you will find that special something as time passes.

Lynn Parr is our mystery thrift store queen! She purchased all the merchandise depicted at Good Cheer and has put it to work at her Eagles Inspiration Wellness Retreat.

Lynn recently posted an article on her Whidbey Wellness blog entitled “Whales, Wares and Other Whidbey.”

Lynn said “I believe in sustainable living, recycling and protecting the “Health and Wellness” of our environment and Mother Earth. Why buy new when used will do and you can end hunger at the same time? Good Cheer’s thrift stores offer an abundance of treasures and wares.

Whidbey Wellness/Eagles Inspiration Retreat is adorned with treasures of furniture, dishes, linens and bedding to pictures, lamps, nic-nacs and more… I believe at least 85 – 90% of all the items I purchased since last fall to furnish, decorate and stock Eagles Inspiration Retreat was from the local thrift stores.

I’ve been so blessed to find good quality and clean items. Just at the times when I went out looking for something specific ~ there it was, the ‘perfect fit’ ~ And we’re talking MANY, MANY trips just like that! It’s a WIN WIN for everyone. I am saving a great deal of money on very reasonably priced items, recycling and helping in one way to contribute back to my community.”

You can view the full article with more photos by clicking here.

Lynn is a great advocate for our local thrift stores and we thank her for her thoughtful words.

Good Cheer and keep on shopping!

Why Thrifting is Such a Wonderful Idea

Dec 282010

December 28, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Good Cheer Food Bank is unique, it is supported to a large degree through our community thrift stores in Langley and Clinton.

Thrifting and thrifter are terms that are being used to describe those who shop (sometimes exclusively) at thrift or second-hand stores, flea markets, garage sales and charity shops.

You may ask though, why bother thrifting?

Thrift stores are easy on your wallet and actually help lessen the strain on the environment.

There is a lot of truth in the notion that one person’s junk might be another’s treasure. In these frugal times, thrifting makes economic and environmental sense. Purchasing reusable items at a thrift store prolongs a products life and keeps it out our landfills.

Organic is more than buying from our local farmers……………

Organic can be buying local and creating an environment within the community that sustains its charities and non-profits. Local business and community support has helped Good Cheer and the HELP Network on South Whidbey Island to a degree that is unimaginable.

Thrifting is fun!

It is a time when you can use your sharp eye and uncany knack of finding that one-of-a-kind bargain. That great pair of blue jeans or maybe the sunglass frame that you bought for a dollar and you find out, on the internet, that it orginally sold for $100!

It appears as though modern-day thrifting has come of age, thrifting, like the do-it-yourself mentality, is definitely the new chic.

In many cases the goods are in better condition than you might think. I’ve found once-worn sweaters and seen designer bags in our thrift stores. You’ll find things there that you can’t find anywhere else. Great finds are just sitting out there waiting for you, come on in and take a look around.

Have you ever been down to Double Bluff Beach?

Maybe this wet suit from the Langley Thrift Store might make it a more unique experience.

Supporting our thrift stores can be fun and it is a part of a program that is creating a hunger free community.

Good Cheer and Happy New Year!

Gingerbread Saturday Sale in Langley

Dec 172010

December 17, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Saturday is the last day of Langley Holiday Late Nights and the Good Cheer thrift store will will be open until 8 p.m. to help make your Christmas shopping a little more fun.

We have decided to make it an event with lots of savings and holiday cheer! Gingerbread cookies will be served from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

You can save up to 25% off on everything in the store!

If you just stop by the thrift store between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. you’ll receive a $5 store coupon.

At the cash register, when you purchase items from the thrift store, you will receive a candy Santa and this will tell you how much of a discount you will receive. The discounts are between 10% and 25%. On top of that, if your purchase is $5 or more, you will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Good Cheer gift certificate, the drawing will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Quilters just donated 6 just homemade quilts. We had a meeting with the volunteers here at Bayview and they thought it best to sell them in our Thrift Stores at a very reasonable price. They would make a GREAT holiday gift and remember it is because of our Thrift Stores that we are able to operate a state of the art food bank.

Here is a link to the Good Cheer Facebook article with more photos.

Good Cheer!

Child’s Chance to Give

Dec 082010

December 8, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The peace and feeling of comfort that comes from having a good family and circle of friends is often taken for granted, however, it is where most happiness begins.

There is comfort in family and friends and a love that we share on a daily basis. The Holiday Season is a time of peace and happiness and sharing gifts has become a way of expressing our love with family and friends. We all know the importance of giving and the feeling that comes from the experience.

There is a wonderful program that we have at Good Cheer, it’s about a child’s chance to give. The program is for children of parents or caretakers who are clients of the food bank. Children between the ages of 4-15 will be presented with a $10 gift certificate for each parent or caretaker in their home.

There is a signup sheet at the Good Cheer Food Bank in Bayview.

The kids can go shopping at the Langley or Clinton Thrift Stores and The Rack in Clinton.

Langley Thrift Store Thursday, December 9th 5:30 p.m.until 7:30 p.m.

Clinton Thrift Store Two and The Rack Friday, December 10th 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Parents can drop their children off at the store where the kids will be met by volunteers who will help them find the just right present! Parents need to stay away for awhile.

Volunteers will even help to wrap the gifts.

This is a program that doesn’t get much public attention since it is something that is done in-house for our clients. I wanted to remind you of the many ways that, we together, are bringing light into the lives of others!

I guess you could call this “Spreading Good Cheer.”

Double Punch Days – Good Cheer Thrift Stores

Oct 212010

October 21, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Have you been carded at Good Cheer’s Thrift Stores yet? If not, you’re missing the chance to win a monthly drawing for a $50 shopping certificate at any Good Cheer store.

The card in question is Good Cheer Thrift Store’s Frequent Buyer Card introduced this summer. We’ve had great response to the card and have had to keep up with the demand for it. It takes just 12 purchases to enter the drawing. At least one punch must be from each of Good Cheer’s Thrift Stores in Langley and Clinton, and the Clothing Rack in Clinton. The cards are available at the counter in each store. I guess you could say that we’re encouraging you to explore all of our stores.

Here is another story that talks about doubles. A nickel here and there really adds up. In fact, Payless Foods in Freeland donates a nickel to Good Cheer Food Bank every time a customer has their groceries bagged in a re-usable grocery tote; nickels which have totaled more than $7,040 in donations over the past seven months. Now there is the potential for customers to choose to double the donations.

“With our new registers, we are now able to offer customers the choice of donating the nickel that they receive per bag to the Food Bank in addition to the nickel that Payless Foods donates to Good Cheer,” said Payless Foods Manager Tom Brown. “The donation is now printed right on the receipt.” He estimates that about 30 percent of Payless Foods customers are using the store’s blue tote bags (made of recycled materials), or bringing other types of re-usable bags to use. “When we first began the program I would order about ten thousand totes at a time. People have really responded to the idea of saving resources,” Brown said. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.” We are grateful to be the recipient of this commendable program by a longtime supporter of the Food Bank.. You should know that if clients to the food bank bring in reusable grocery bags they receive extra food
points.

Our oceans are being threatened by “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” This is a phenomenon that has many scientists concerned. The debris field of this massive vortex of floating plastic trash is said to be twice the size of Texas.

We all know the importance of being good stewards of our Planet. Small actions can create a domino effect; it can inspire others to take action. Our beaches and oceans are littered with items made of plastic; so buy reusable shopping bags and water bottles.

Whidbey Island residents seem to be ahead of the times.

Good Cheer!

The Good Cheer Rack – Grand Re-Opening

Sep 022010

September 2, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Good Cheer Rack is having a grand re-opening this weekend starting on September 4th. A grand celebration; with barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers!

We wanted to have a larger site to display our goods and it was a necessity to have a “REAL” dressing room. Yes, it has a door:)

We’ve been moving into the world of social networking over the past year. The Good Cheer Blog and Good Cheer Garden Blog have been well received and is a great way to keep you informed of the happenings at the food bank.

We now have a Facebook site for the Rack in Clinton. This gives us the ability to show new arrivals and is just another way of having a conversation with the community on South Whidbey Island.

Play our Rack Bingo game, the more you shop, the more you save. You can turn in your receipt for our special hourly drawing and you could win a gift certificate good for half the total on your sales receipt.

Good Cheer!

The Gift of Giving – Good Cheer Volunteers

Jun 252010

June 25, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Just last week we had volunteers from Windermere at Good Cheer. This sets a tremendous example for the people in the community. It also affirms the efforts that are made daily by our volunteers at the Good Cheer Food Bank and its Thrift Stores.

Volunteering is a form of giving. It is sharing what we value with others without counting on the reciprocal expectation of recognition or gratitude.

“The value of man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”

–Albert Einstein

True giving is done without expecting something in return. Most of the time we are giving someone something they need, and they usually don’t have the means to give anything back. Usually, the act of giving is to help and the only thing that could diminish that act, I believe, is to do it expecting something out of it.

Good Cheer is blessed to have many volunteers that know the true value of giving. This past Father’s Day we had two Dads who couldn’t be with their children; so why not help out at the thrift store.

This is a photo of Mike and Sydney with Cary Peterson (Good Cheer Garden Coordinator) at the Summer Volunteer Party.

Mike Hoffman was recently assigned the new role of managing the Langley Thrift Store Hardware department. Mike and his wife Sydney (a food bank volunteer) got together with Don and Anne Zontine and decided to spend some time organizing the hardware department. By day’s end they had spent 5 hours at the thrift store on Father’s Day giving back and doing what only comes naturally to them.

This is a photo of Don and Anne working at the Good Cheer garden this past week. Anne is a regular garden volunteer and Don is a truck driver volunteer for Good Cheer.

It was far from an easy task to organize the hardware area at the Langley Store; I know that Mike has been working on it for a while.

There has also been great progress at the Clinton Thrift Store where you will find a large selection of tools to help you around the home.

The Good Cheer Food Bank is a life line for families who get cut off from the work force. Many who had traditionally supported organizations such as ours (prior to the collapse of the economy a few years ago) now find themselves as recipients of this service.

Corrine Bayley Food Bank Volunteer works the check in counter every Tuesday afternoon and is our professional volunteer photographer.

When many public assistance programs were eliminated during the 1980s local communities found themselves swamped to provide basic nourishment for the elderly, families subsisting on one worker income at minimum wage, the unemployed and their children.

Colby Snow volunteers at special events and is the driver of our soap box derby car and provided technical support at our talent show.

Volunteer efforts through churches, local clubs and private organizations came together in many communities to provide this vital assistance.

Lou Donaty is Damien Cotez’s back-up man in the Food Bank.

But for the self-sacrifice of individuals who themselves are not wealthy and the generous donations of many others, many children in this country would suffer developmental issues related to nutrition and diet; and elder citizens on a fixed income would have to choose between their food and their medications.

Jim Engstrom is a longtime volunteer worker at Good Cheer Two, in the Food Bank and also the Distribution Center.

The volunteers that we have highlighted are just a few of the people that are so essential to the Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Stores.

If you have any interest in giving through volunteer work here is a link to helping in the fashion that suits you best.

Good Cheer!

The Mother of All Talent Shows!

Apr 222010

April 22, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

America may have talent, but South Whidbey has its share of talent, too!

In the fashion of the popular television show “America’s Got Talent” Good Cheer will present “The Mother of All Talent Shows” Saturday evening, May 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the South Whidbey High School auditorium.

This venue is very special as you can see by the photo. The challenge will be in filling all of the seats to make this truly a special event. An annual talent show would restart a great tradition for the community and will be lots of fun.

With more than 20 acts signed up to perform, the May event is looking like it might just be the reincarnation of South Whidbey’s old-time talent show held annually until three years ago. The annual talent show was coordinated by Jean Shaw, well known South Whidbey school teacher, and became a community institution.

JoNoah Spratt and State Representative Norma Smith

The idea of a hosting a talent show started when Good Cheer volunteer, JaNoah Spratt was giving State Representative Norma Smith a tour of the Food Bank. JaNoah is a young man who has done many projects to raise funds for Good Cheer, including his own garden at his house near Langley. On the tour, he and Norma came up with the idea of having a talent show to earn money to support Good Cheer Programs.

Damien Cortez

I loved the idea and knew right away that Damien, our Food Bank Coordinator, needed to be involved in this effort as he has a strong background in theater and performing arts. Both Damien and JaNoah are movers and shakers, and I had full confidence that this new idea would be a GREAT addition to our fundraising effort.

Our lineup of entertainment includes dancing, singing, varieties of musical talent, a martial arts demonstration, a fire-spinner, and even an artist painting on stage. “If you have talent, we will put you on stage,” says Damien who will also be the emcee of the show.

JaNoah and some of his Martial Tiger Arts friends

To more fully resemble a television talent competition, there will be a panel of five celebrity judges from our community, including Jean Shaw, Mike McInerney, Lynn Williford, Mary Mathews and local personality Jim Freeman, who will be the spokesman for the judges. I’m hearing that the judges and others from Good Cheer will be dressing up as if it were an Oscar event. We’re trying to get a red carpet:)

Jim Freeman

We wanted to give everyone attending a chance at winning a prize; so we are having a raffle event. You will receive a raffle ticket with your event ticket. You can also buy raffle tickets separately; you don’t have to be in attendance to win a prize.

JaNoah and his mother have been working overtime to secure some great prizes. They have secured more than $4,000 in prizes!

The Green Car Company has donated a Europa eBike valued at $1499.

Leave your worries at the gas pump. This Light Electric Vehicle powers up with a simple cord and leaves you charged up for fun. The Europa provides environmentally friendly economic commuting for all. Its lightweight construction, front suspension and comfort gel seat give riders the thrill of a powerful ride with easy handling.

The Inn at Langley and Spa Essencia have donated a Spa Package and Hotel Stay valued at $650.

Lawrence Stapleton painting; the painting above is a sample of his work.

This is the painting that will be donated to the event; value is $650.

The Half Link Bicycle Shop is donating a Norco Scrambler valued at $409.

The Island Athletic Club has donated a 3 month membership in their Club a $350 value.

Tiger Martial Arts donated one month of classes at their Dojo.

Promoting the event has been a collaboration with students at South Whidbey High School’s graphic arts program who designed the posters and the tickets. Well done Watermark Design! Watermark Design is the name of the school’s graphic department!

Tickets for the talent show are available at all Good Cheer locations for $10 and include a raffle ticket for people over 18.

You can also purchase raffle tickets separately: one ticket for $2; three tickets for $5; seven for $10; or 20 for $20 (the best deal). You need not be present to win. The money from the sales of event tickets and raffle tickets will be used to support Good Cheer Food Bank programming.

Good Cheer!

Good Cheer Thrift Stores – How They Work

Feb 232010

February 23, 2010 Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Good Cheer Thrift Stores work because you make it possible. Without your donations the whole premise behind the Good Cheer Food Bank evaporates. We are currently running a little short on donations so keep that in mind as you start your spring cleaning.

The whole process starts with your donations. You should know that the items in high demand are housewares, linens, tools, books, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, antiques, jewelry, small appliances, and furniture.

When considering donating items to Good Cheer, please ask yourself; “Is this something that I would buy. Are my donations clean, complete, usable and saleable?”

Just a heads up on the issue.

This is where it starts as Good Cheer turns old furniture, clothes, appliances and knick-knacks into food for hungry families and individuals on South Whidbey.

To find out more about where to bring your donations and a list of items that we cannot accept click here.

Rita Burns the Operations Manager at Good Cheer clearly states the importance of the volunteers at Good Cheer. Don Roan is her right hand man and has been around for as long as she can remember. His experience in pricing is an integral part of the operation. Sean McLaughlin spends 6-8 hours a day six days a week volunteering. He specializes in electronics and tests merchandise to make sure that it works.

If you find that the merchandise isn’t working; Good Cheer has a 3 day return policy. You can return the merchandise and receive a store credit.