Share & Care Is A Ministry

On Sept. 6, EJ Rittersbach, a team member with the Share & Care Shop at Garden Spot Village (GSV), was arranging for final touches on the thrift boutique before its soft opening at 10 a.m. that day. The shop underwent renovations during the summer, and the remodeled store, complete with fall decorations, was almost ready to greet customers once again.

The grand opening for Share & Care, which benefits the GSV Benevolent Fund, will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Sept. 22, 23, and 24. The store's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

The shop, which 20 years ago was the brainstorm of marketing staff member Bonnie Gerig, serves GSV residents and their families in a fashion that Rittersbach refers to as a ministry. "It's an overwhelming task to move loved ones out of their homes," said Rittersbach. "Our team goes in to minister to the resident or the family. We do everything we can to help them through that process."

As part of that process, the team accepts items to resell, with 100% of the profits going to benefit the Benevolent Fund, which aids residents who have exhausted their finances. In June, members of the store's team presented a check for more than $94,000 to the fund.

Because space in the shop, originally a large maintenance closet, is limited, clothing is not accepted. Items that can be found include small appliances, housewares, furniture, lamps, and limited antiques. Accessories, such as jewelry, glassware, dishes, frames, decorative items like artificial floral arrangements and wreaths, and knickknacks line the shelves, along with cards and gift bags. Puzzles, games, and stuffed animals are also sold. Appliances are tested before they are sold and furniture is inspected. Regular sales based on inventory or other criteria are held. "Sometimes it will be anything that is red (that is on sale)," said Rittersbach. "We will have a team meeting to talk about the (next month's) sales." Items that are not sold are donated to another local thrift shop. The shop is manned by GSV volunteers working in two-hour shifts.

Readers who would like more information about the store may visit http://www.gardenspotvillage.org/shopping or search for "Share & Care Thrift Shop" on Facebook.