By Dee Mobley
OK, OK, Start your engines, ladies. ST. V’s is about to reopen, as of Monday, May 11, 10 am SHARP!
We too regret the weeks of locked doors, but that was the Covid reality. We were closed before we could put our Winter stuff on sale, and it was sad to send most of it out the back door to the recycling truck. But on the positive side, we have now reloaded the racks with Spring-y stuff. By Monday we’ll be ready to fling open the doors to Spring!
Come have a looksee and also say hello to our Summer Store Manager, Hannelore Olson. We hear that lots of noisy pleading wafted through the streets of Broadus as our regular manager, Charlee Mills Kuhbacher, convinced Hannelore to take the helm for the summer. None of us can figure out why though...Charlee has mentioned her family, the ranch, her salon business, her auctioneering business, her volunteering for umpteen school and community events...So thank you, Hannelore – and catch your breath, Charlee.
It’s past time by a month or two or three to say thank you to all those who make the St. Vincent de Paul store possible – and thereby a blessing to a whole bunch of people and organizations. Without donations (many of which are really REALLY nice), the store would not BE. Without customers, ditto. Thank you, Powder River County and far beyond, for both!
In 2019, we distributed $12,450 among forty-seven families and two organizations in addition to clothes, shoes, kitchen stuff, and more. Whether it’s clothes for school kids, gas cards for medical travel, IGA gift cards, a donation to the ministerial or transportation funds, help with a utility bill, or other needs, St V’s has been available since 2009 to offer a hand up (rather than a hand OUT).
Since the store started up 10 + years ago, well over $72,000 in cash has gone back into the community. With freely-given clothes and other gear added into the documented giving, that number would likely bump up towards $80,000.
Since our move in September of 18, we have enjoyed our improved facility next to the Library with more space, more lighting, more everything -- except we’re still skinny on volunteers!
Speaking of which, there’s a few well-meaning folk who keep saying they intend to come join our crew either regularly or just occasionally. Well, we’re still straining our eyeballs, waiting for you to come through the door to share the work AND the fun AND the laughter. Pretty please?
Be assured we do have fun. When there’s two or three working together, we probably have more laughter and chatter than anyone would suspect. It’s a great place to get acquainted with those we don’t know except by name, make new friends, laugh a lot, and experience the real joy of serving. So c’mon you gals (and guys too please as we need guy skills plus BIG muscles to load the recycling truck) who have been “thinking about volunteering”.
Check with Hannelore Olson if you’d like to join up. Or tell whoever’s working or leave a note at the store. We have 3-hour morning shifts, 4-hour afternoon shifts, and a 4-hour Saturday shift. (And if we have no one for any shift, we aren’t open.) Work up front (it’s FUN to take the money!) or work in back sorting and tagging. Schedules are flexible and regular shift folk trade times as needed to accommodate busy and unpredictable lives. Plus we have helpful substitutes who step in when needed.
So as a regular or a substitute, or whenever-it-fits-your day for an hour or two, consider helping out. It DOES take a village not only to raise a child but also to keep a mostly-volunteer store viable. Yes we’re aware that we compete with the Museum, the Chamber, the Nursing Home, and the various vital committees for a limited supply of help. Where’s the Science of Cloning when we need volunteers!
And, Ladies, now that your clothes closets, hall closets, and whatever else closets are sparkling clean, would you do St V’s staff a HUGE FAVOR by holding your Winter discards till closer to Fall and just bring your Spring-y/Summer-y discards to us. We are expecting a tsunami of backlog when we reopen, and we have limited working space and no present storage space for Winter items. So we ask that you Hold Em so we don’t haveta Store Em.
For donations and volunteers and customers, THANK YOU Broadus & Boyes & Hammond, Alzada & Ekalaka, Biddle & Rocky Point, Sonnette & Ashland & Birney, Coalwood & Volborg & even Olive! Store Manager Charlee Kuhbacher/ Summer Store Manager Hannelore Olson.
The St V Board of Directors: Mike Copps, Dan Lynch, Jeanne Rogge, Karen Amende, Hannelore Olson, Margie Riley, & Dee Mobley.
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