Maybe there are happier volunteers somewhere on the face of the planet than Evalyn Carlson (left) and Sharon Bloomquist, but it’s doubtful. The ladies were both working last week at Oddz & Endz, and Carlson noted that the thrift store had generated more than $48,000 for local nonprofits over the course of the last year. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Health issues and a lack of volunteers didn’t stop the crew from ODDZ & ENDZ from surpassing their hopes for raising a significant amount of money to donate to nonprofits this, their fourth year of operation.
Evalyn Carlson said donations, sales and payouts exceeded everyone’s expectations, and ODDZ & ENDZ (O&E) was able to distribute $48,000 to help out various nonprofits throughout the county.
Receiving donations from O&E were local churches, volunteer fire departments, county, and historical groups, the Violence Prevention Center, Flute Reed Partnership, Care Partners, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cook County Senior Center, Grand Portage Elderly Nutrition, Library Friends, the Grand Marais Playhouse and more.
Also, said Carlson, O&E has, “continued to work with Social Services, the Salvation Army, churches and others to donate in times of crisis or special needs.”
Going into the winter, the store’s hours will be shortened to three days a week “unless we get more volunteers,” added Carlson.
The new days and hours will be Mondays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations are always welcome, but they must be brought in when the store is open. “Please don’t leave items outside,” Carlson said.
“The coffee is always on and we hope you will come for any reason: browse, chill, donate, volunteer or just say hi. Come and enjoy the O&E experiences,” said Carlson.
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