The mantra of Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s ReStore is “Donate Shop Volunteer.” From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29, you’ll have a chance to do all three.
As it approaches a major milestone, the ReStore will host its annual Spring Open House. Shoppers, donors and volunteers will enjoy refreshments, “grab bag coupon” discounts, and a wide variety of brand new and gently used merchandise.
At 10:30 a.m., store volunteers and staff will announce the total proceeds that have been generated to date to support Habitat’s affordable home ownership program. Their announcement will be of particular interest, since the ReStore is closing in on $1 million in sales since it opened in November of 2010. And every year it nets more money to fund Habitat Choptank’s mission.
“We are definitely ‘on the map,” says Lee Weldon, who has managed the ReStore since day one. “We’ve really benefited from being in such a great and giving community.” Donors find it gratifying to know that ReStore will find new homes for their gently used furniture, appliances and building supplies, while saving its customers money. They also like knowing that everything donated to the ReStore and resold is diverted from the landfill.
The familiar ReStore truck collects goods from individuals, retailers and builders all over the Mid-Shore. Donors bring hundreds more items right to the store every month as well. Drive-up donors are greeted by helpful volunteers who help unload, and prepare receipts for tax purposes.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 29th, the truck will be parked at Sts. Peter and Paul School to serve as a donation center, where students and their parents can contribute items to the ReStore. All donated items will be taken to the ReStore and offered for sale.
“We work with a lot of commercial donors, such as Easton Hardware, Lowe’s, West & Callahan, Ilex Construction and Willow Construction in Easton, Best Western Motor Inn and Higgins and Spencer Furniture in St. Michaels, Best Buy Supply and Weinstein Supply in Cambridge, Friel Lumber in Queenstown, and Rommel’s Ace Hardware and Lundberg Builders on Kent Island, among others,” Weldon says. “Still, our best source of donations is always the general public. Almost all our furniture comes from individuals.”
“On our biggest day since we opened, sales totaled $7,140,” says Weldon. “My goal at this year’s Open House is to eclipse that number.” To hit that goal, to ensure the best selection for Spring Open House shoppers, and to reach the million-dollar mark, he says, the ReStore needs merchandise to sell: furniture in good condition; late-model appliances in working order; hand and power tools; and, now that spring is near, lawn and garden furniture and implements.
Even a broken appliance can be recycled for its scrap metal value. But the ReStore is unable to accept certain items: opened paint cans; upholstered furniture that is torn, stained or faded; clothing; hazardous materials; bedding (mattresses, box springs, linens, etc.); convertible sofas; tube televisions; furniture made of particle board; musical instruments, especially pianos; shower doors; used mini-blinds; and things that are obviously broken or not working.
If you’re looking to shop, the ReStore can sell you everything from a doorknob to a kitchenful of appliances. Items you’re most likely to find there include:
Furniture, from the very utilitarian to “stuff that the antique dealers come in and fight over,” in Weldon’s words. “We try to keep the quality of the furniture pretty high.”
Appliances. “We get some very nice stuff from this community,” says Weldon. For example, when they rehabbed their house in Queen Anne, Mark and Debra Silberstein purchased all their kitchen and laundry appliances and fixtures, from the sink to the side-by-side refrigerator-freezer to the washer and dryer, from ReStore. They spent $800. The same appliances would have cost them 10 times as much at retail. “We’re there every week,” says Debra.
Doors, which sell like the proverbial hotcakes. That’s easy to understand: Most go for as little as $10.
Windows, flooring, plumbing fixtures, power and hand tools, shelving, general hardware, and some siding.
The ReStore has also become a great place to volunteer. While the store’s only paid employees are Weldon and part-time Assistant Manager Chris Walls, more than 40 regular volunteers keep it running, and they have logged almost 30,000 hours of service since the store opened. The number of volunteer hours worked has gone up every year. However, Weldon is quick to note that more volunteers are always needed.
“It’s the people in the store that make it work,” he says. “Without the dedicated volunteers, none of the rest of it could happen.” And the more volunteers, the better: “It makes everybody’s job easier if we have lots of help.”
Construction experience is helpful, but not necessary, as is a general knowledge of hardware and building materials. Volunteers are only expected to put in four hours a week. And if they have physical limitations, Weldon works around them. “We take all comers,” he says, “and try to keep them busy.” If you’d like to volunteer, he’d like to speak with you on the 29th.
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 62 families, and currently partners with seven local families. Qualifying families are offered a “hand up” out of poverty housing.
“On our biggest day since we opened, sales totaled $7,140,” says Weldon. “That was at our 2012 Spring Open House. My goal at this year’s Open House is to eclipse that number.”
Habitat Choptank’s ReStore is located at 8648 Commerce Drive in Easton, just off the bypass near Target. For more information, or 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. The ReStore is open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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