Years of selfless work for the benefit of the community has past and present volunteers of the Beaver Valley Thrift Store being recognized as Beaver Valley’s 2024 Citizen of the Year.
“This award recognizes outstanding volunteer contribution to our community and the many volunteers of the Beaver Valley Thrift Store exemplify these qualities,” Grace Terness, Beaver Valley Citizen of the Year committee, begins.
Volunteers work tirelessly year round taking in donations, sorting, and operating the thrift store.
“Just think how much good stuff gets diverted from the landfill promoting environmental sustainability and helping our planet,” Terness says.
Visitors to the thrift store will find not only clothes and shoes for the family, but also housewares, books, toys, puzzles and so much more.
“What a treasure hunt for unique finds, vintage clothing, and things no longer made, and all are at really affordable prices,” Terness adds.
“In our present economy, a nonprofit thrift store is essential. So get out there and support all the thrift stores in our area because they have such a positive impact on our communities and proceeds go straight back to the community.”
On behalf of the committee, Terness invites the public and all past recipients to attend the award presentation and reception in the Beaver Valley Curling Rink at 7 p.m., Friday, May 24.
“Come out and congratulate all the thrift store volunteers.”
Beaver Valley Thrift Shop
It’s not a stretch to say that women from the United Church in Fruitvale were way ahead of their time.
Around 65 years ago — long before the “reduce, re-use and recycle” message of today — a group of women from the Fruitvale United Church became aware of a need for used clothing.
Their benevolence led to the start of a charity-driven thrift shop.
The store’s first Main Street locale was in the village’s old post office, property now used as a parking lot by Liberty Foods.
At first, volunteers opened shop once a week and only sold clothing.
Next, the store moved a few blocks on Main Street to the second floor of Fuzzy’s Feed and Seed, now Country Roads General Store.
This locale is described as “up an interesting flight of stairs at the back of the building. It was a bit dark as the only natural light was the front windows and the back door.”
Not ideal, however, a bigger space was needed even though clothing was still the only inventory.
In the late 1980’s the building was sold and thrift shop volunteers were tasked with finding a new location.
Next, they moved above the Main Street drug store, now Fruitvale IDA Pharmacy.
This step-up provided more light and greater square-footage, as well as space for storage.
More room meant more goods could be donated then sold for charity, including housewares, books, and linens.
“Our ever faithful menfolk were put to work creating new racks and shelves,” volunteers note.
This space was home for about 30 years.
Over time, the stairs became a hindrance to many, and ladies of the church were helped out by volunteers from the community.
As the group of women overseeing operations started to age out, a steering committee was formed.
The future became uncertain when, in 2018, the United Church in Fruitvale shutdown.
“There was a good chance that we would just close,” church members reminisce. “Thank Goodness for Communities in Faith, the United Church in Trail, who came to our rescue and took us under their wing.”
When the shop’s rent was raised in early 2022, it was time to look for new quarters.
“Randy Moore came to us and said, ‘You need to come and look at this space,’” the volunteers explain.
“We did and reached an agreement. What a space! No stairs and room to move.”
The shop relocated to 1846 First Street in May 2022, and volunteers say they have not looked back.
The thrift shop continues to be a successful operation, still guided under the principle of a steering committee. As well, they now share space with the food bank and Beaver Valley and Pend D’Oreille Historical Society.
The thrift shop remains 100 per cent volunteer-run, and other than operating expenses, all proceeds are invested back into local causes.
“With the economy as it is these days we have become an even more necessary shopping place where many come first for their needs,” thrift shop volunteers share.
“It takes a community to run our shop and we are fortunate that we have that community.
“Through all of this we try to have fun and work at the same time.”
