The Habitat for Humanity Choptank ReStore, located at 8648 Commerce Drive in Easton, just off the bypass near Target, is preparing to celebrate its fourth anniversary with an open house on Saturday, November 8th from 8 am to 4pm. Shoppers and donors will enjoy food, special discounts, and a wide variety of merchandise. At 10:30am, store volunteers and staff will gather to reveal the total proceeds that have been generated to date to support Habitat’s affordable home ownership program. A special addition to this year’s event will be an announcement about the store’s upcoming move to a larger location.
“We always look forward to our anniversary celebration but the 2014 event will be extra special as we prepare to move,” says ReStore manager Chris Smith. “The community has been wonderful to us donating quality used and even new home improvement items and furniture.” At times, the inventory is overflowing out our doors with new donations received every day the store is open.
The now-familiar ReStore truck makes 20 pick-ups per week on average, collecting goods every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from individuals, retailers and builders all over the Mid-Shore. Hundreds more items are brought right to the ReStore by donors every month. Drive-up donors are greeted by a crew of dedicated volunteers who prepare a receipt that can be used for tax purposes.
“We work with a lot of commercial donors as well as receive donations from the general public,” Walls says. “Our single biggest department in terms of sales is furniture, which comes almost entirely from individual donors.”
Special promotions will be posted around the store starting on November 8th in order to help staff and volunteers get ready for the move later this year. While the task of moving the store and its contents will be no small project, with over 750 other ReStores around the United States, the crew at the Habitat Choptank ReStore can learn from their peers. Each ReStore is operated by and benefits its local Habitat affiliate.
“Our current facility has served us well,” Smith notes. “We’ve been fortunate to have a great landlord and friendly neighbors in a spot were donors and customers could find us.” Now, with four years of successful operations, it’s time to relocate to a space where the store can continue to grow with more square footage.
The net proceeds from the ReStore are invested into Habitat Choptank’s self-help home ownership program. Since its founding in 1992, the nonprofit home builder has made home ownership possible for 63 qualifying home buyers. Five homes are currently under construction with plans to start at least four more over the coming year. Qualifying partners are offered a “hand up” to improve their housing situation. After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume responsibility for repaying a no profit interest-free Habitat mortgage or low interest equivalent.
For more information about the ReStore, to shop, donate or volunteer, call 410-820-6186. Information about Habitat Choptank’s ReStore, its affordable home ownership program, and other volunteer opportunities, can be found at www.HabitatChoptank.org.
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