 |  |  |  |
| PALOS VERDES RESALE THRIFT SHOP A non-profit organization committed to community service and the support of local charities |
Dreaming, doing and serving: A model for everyone
By Anne Hansen
The Tidings, Friday, April 18, 2008
There are those who dream and those who "do." Occasionally, there are dreamers
who are also "doers" --- like Fran Pitts, a parishioner of St. John Fisher Church in
Rancho Palos Verdes, who dreams big and then does what it takes to make the
dream reality.
About three years ago Fran combined years of National Charity League
experience, outreach ministry with her parish, an awareness of the needs of the
poor and an incredible ability to organize people, into a win-win situation for
volunteers and the recipients of the volunteer labor.
She successfully spearheaded the creation of a thrift shop that disburses notable
sums of money to over a dozen charitable organizations in the South Bay and
greater Los Angeles area. In less than three years the thrift shop --- Palos Verdes
Resale --- has raised more than $400,000 for agencies such as the Presentation
Learning Center, Saints Peter and Paul Poverty Program, Meals on Wheels, House
of Yahweh, House of Hope, Agape, Casa de Angelitos, Daughters of Mary and
Joseph, Sisters of Charity, STAR (Society to Aid Retarded), Downtown Women's
Center, Christian Outreach in Action, and Miller Children's Hospital special fund for
infants.
By agreement of the board and volunteers, funds raised through the shop are given
to agencies that do not receive federal aid. They pride themselves on giving to "little
people," the smaller groups that are often overlooked because they serve fewer
needy than larger agencies.
The initial plan took only a year to implement. A board was formed, meetings were
held, a good location was researched, legal and business professionals assisted,
and the grand opening was held Aug. 23, 2005. Since that day there has been no
looking back, only success with organizing and selling whatever comes in by way of
donation.
The proceeds, far more than ever dreamed of, are disbursed in a very democratic
fashion. Volunteers have a vote in where the money raised is distributed. For every
hour worked at the shop, a volunteer has one vote to cast for the charity of his or her
choice; more hours served at the shop equals more votes. Each quarter the votes
are tallied and the proceeds are disseminated, based on the votes of the
volunteers, to those on the established list of charities. This inventive and
motivational technique gives each volunteer a feeling of ownership in the sales of
the shop and the opportunity to direct financial assistance to a charity that is near
and dear to their hearts.
The original volunteers from St. John Fisher continue to support the shop and
remain the core of the endeavor, but other parishes and the community at large
have now joined their volunteer ranks making this quite a collaborative effort. The
day I visited the shop was buzzing with men and women going through boxes of
donations to determine what they could sell, what needed to be refurbished and
what was to be handed on as free donations to individuals or other charities.
The system of keeping the merchandise moving is both meticulous and amazing.
Anything not sold within two weeks is marked down to half-price. Any of these items
still unsold after another week are put into a special "Dollar Day" sale that takes
place regularly in the parking lot behind the shop. "Dollar Day" draws large crowds
and is a surprisingly lucrative part of the shop's revenue.
The volunteers, wonderful workers that they are, acknowledge that they have a
higher mission. Fran says they are all aware that they are the face of the Church in
the community and they remind themselves often that the kindness, caring and the
respect they show all customers are as important as the money they make.
The success of Palos Verdes Resale has not gone unnoticed. It has received
several community awards and Fran Pitts, president of the board, was recognized
by Bishop Montgomery High School as a graduate who exhibits remarkable
Christian service to the community. Retired San Pedro Regional Auxiliary Bishop
Joseph Sartoris is a special friend who visits and supports the shop.
Now that the shop is established and doing well, Fran is hoping to advise other
interested parishes on how they can open similar shops to serve the poor in their
communities, with Palos Verdes Resale serving as a pilot program. The
possibilities are exciting.
Palos Verdes Resale is located at 2321 Pacific Coast Highway, Rancho Palos
Verdes; contact Fran Pitts at (310) 534-1722. Anne Hansen is a member of the
Camarillo Catholic community. Her e-mail address is familymail@aol.com.
| | | |
