Who knew a penguin cookie jar could be so cute? One of the perks of being a volunteer at the Thrift Station is getting first crack at the donations, and Elaine Maier is quick to buy penguins in any size or shape for her granddaughter. Elaine is one of the 100-plus volunteers who make the spacious Thrift Station at the Crossroads a well-organized and pleasant place to shop. It is run by the Friends of Discovery and benefits the nonprofit Discovery Counseling Center, which was founded in 1969.
Elaine discovered the Thrift Station more than 15 years ago. She admired the jewelry of a woman seated next to her at a luncheon, who said it was from her “shop” in Danville. Elaine assumed she meant a classy little boutique. When the woman explained she worked at the Thrift Station, Elaine checked it out, then began volunteering.
Thom Martin, executive director of Discovery Counseling Center, said the Friends are responsible for about one-third of the center’s income and next year its donations will reach the $5 million mark, raised since the Friends started the shop in 1973. “They run this amazing business and don’t even know how good they are,” he said.
The Thrift Station, as well as the counseling center, provides therapy, pointed out coordinator Cathy Clausen, explaining that many woman find a purpose through their volunteering plus make new friends. “The shop has healing effects for lots of ladies, especially those who have lost their spouses,” she said. The customers make friends with each other, too, she said. Some customers come in every day, since the inventory changes daily, and on Saturdays it is a meeting place. “We are one part of the ‘quilt’ of the community,” she added.
Judy Nauman, a Danville resident, said her daughter discovered the store when she was in junior high. “She said, ‘Mother, you have to go down there,'” recalled Judy. She’d been looking for something to do and now she’s been working there for 18 years, including 16 as coordinator. She said some of the women from the shop recently traveled to Mexico together. But they don’t seem to regard their activities as work; they sort and hang clothes, move boxes and attach price tags in the large back room, talking and laughing all the while.
Joan Galletly, who used to work the cash register at the Monte Vista High cafeteria, has been volunteering at the Thrift Station for more than 31 years. All that time, she’s been categorizing sports equipment and crafts items. “They gave me this job because I have five boys,” she said, elbow deep in weights, softballs and golf clubs. But, she added, she is ready to give it up now that she is 75 and let a younger woman take her place.
The shop was bustling last Thursday with folks looking through the clothes, housewares and books. Jayne and John Schnittker of Alamo were browsing for items their grandchildren might enjoy, and had gathered a cute pink sleeper, a little girl’s Hawaiian dress and a fat rubber snake. Jayne worked in a Walnut Creek thrift shop for 45 years and said people used to be embarrassed to shop at thrift stores but it’s become trendy. “Now it’s like a treasure hunt,” Jayne said.
Join the treasure hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 486 San Ramon Valley Blvd. The Friends are also looking for volunteers to commit to two four-hour shifts a month. And they always need donations – bring them to the back door during business hours and be sure to knock.
Drop in and check it out. You might even find a penguin cookie jar
