The First & Second Thrift Store in the Cobblestone Building in Grand Marais just entered its fifth year of operation and the thriving store, a 501c3 operated by the Cook County Council on Aging (CCCOA), is seeking community volunteers as it continues to grow.
Due to the success of the store and the many responsibilities of having this nonprofit status, CCCOA has created a subcommittee. This committee in turn is looking for volunteers from the community to assist them. Volunteers from the various nonprofit organizations in the community are eligible to work at the store and to bring in a share in the net proceeds for their nonprofit at the end of the year. In previous years up to 37 nonprofits have benefited.
First & Second volunteer Lois Johnson said, “Many of the volunteers do donate their hours to the Senior Center. This is especially important as the amount Cook County is assigning to us is being reduced each year. With our many other programs to support it is important that we have other means of revenue.”
In addition to dedicated volunteers, Johnson said the store has been assisted by a number of local businesses. “Recently, Superior Lumber donated over $200 worth of lumber and supplies, so that volunteers from the park could build new shelving in our donation center. Others who have supported us with supplies and donations are Lake Superior Trading Post, Isak Hansen’s Tru-Value, Birch Bark Books and Gifts, Java Moose, Brian and Marcy Olsen, Orvis and Donna Lunke, and I am certain I have missed someone—please forgive!” said Johnson.
First & Second is looking for a donation center manager, a store manager and as always additional volunteers, especially in the winter when so many seasonal supporters are gone. “In the past the volunteer hour has been at least $10 an hour and sometimes more. You can see how an organization would be able to earn lots of monies to support their programs with the additional revenue,” said Johnson.
Stop by the Grand Marais Senior Center for more information or an application or call (218) 387-2660. And, said Johnson, watch for an announcement in mid August for the First & Second coffee party and this year’s monetary awards to participating nonprofits.
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