Celebrating Our Volunteers

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 14 to 20, we are reminded of the incredible impact our volunteers make every day within our communities. Their dedication means the world to us and helps us care for our neighbours in need.

Aylmer, a dedicated volunteer at our Merivale Thrift Store in Ottawa has been with our organization for over a year while living at a retirement home. By volunteering at our store, Aylmer is able to be active while giving back to the community. His main function is to replenish shelves with new items, however he is always there to help our Guests find what they need. He also aids Guests in operating mobility devices for purchase.

In addition to providing GREAT service to our Guests, Alymer enjoys creating a friendly atmosphere in the store and also has a historical connection with The Salvation Army.

“My wife’s family had an association with The Salvation Army which dated back to the late 1800’s in the UK, so she talked a lot about them and what they do. This is what helped prompt me to volunteer – to give back. When I applied, I had no idea what I’d be doing, but it’s worked out really well and I appreciate it.”

He also added that his brother-in-law fought in the Second World War and had advocated that The Salvation Army provided items to soldiers in their time of need free-of charge.

Our sincerest gratitude and heartfelt thank you goes to out to Aylmer and all our volunteers for all that they do for our organization. It is with their help that we can make a positive impact in the lives of our Guests, donors and fellow team members while being ambassadors for the mission of The Salvation Army.

We encourage our teams across Canada to join us in showing their appreciation for those who volunteer their time to serve our mission and communities.

Join us as we #InspireInclusion this International Women’s Day

Today, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. At NRO, we are proud to say that almost 70% of our employees and over 65% of our leadership team across Canada identify as female. We take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate all these extraordinary employees behind NRO, and their invaluable contributions to our organization and the communities we serve.

This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is #InspireInclusion which aims to remind us that everyone can inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion. When women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Check out a sneak peek of how our teams celebrated International Women’s Day, committing to inspire inclusion not just today but every day.

Local Community Helps The Hanlon Team Give Back

The Hanlon Real Estate Team has been serving the West GTA communities since 1988. In their longstanding tradition of doing good for their communities, this dynamic team has been orchestrating donation drives in the heart of Erin Mills. We spoke to Pamela Duggan, Realtor and Client Care Manager at The Hanlon Team, about this year’s drive which brought in over 50 bags of donations to The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s Mississauga location. “We appreciate the work that The Salvation Army does in supporting those in need. We are proud to partner with them and will continue to support them and give back in any way we can.”

The Hanlon Team celebrates over 50 bags of donations collected to The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

To bring awareness to their initiative, The Halon Team advertises the drive for approximately one month in the Erin Mills community by sending out postcard flyers in the mail in addition to featuring the drive in their newsletter and on the Erin Mills Facebook group.

Residents are not only directed to leave their donations on their front porch but are also given specific details, including the date and time for The Hanlon Team’s scheduled truck pickup in the neighbourhood.

This year, The Hanlon Team collected various clothing items consisting of winter coats, hats, gloves, sweaters and shirts. Pamela also emphasized that “due to the rise in the cost of living, it is imperative to help those in need especially during the winter, which can be hard on a lot of people. Being able to provide them with warm clothing makes all the difference.”

We would like to thank The Hanlon Team for their impactful partnership with our organization and we look forward to future collaborations. Their unwavering support and generosity are what keep our mission thriving, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their continuous collaboration. Your organization, too, can be a force for positive social and environmental change. Be inspired by The Hanlon Team’s example and consider hosting your own donation drive. To register please visit our page here.

Embracing Resiliency and New Beginnings

Moving to another country is hard at the best of times, and when individuals migrate from countries experiencing conflict, the transition can be even more challenging. Our employees Viktoriia and Tetiana both migrated from war-torn Ukraine to start their lives here in Canada, and our Thrift Stores in Winnipeg have embraced them with open arms.

Viktoriia - Store Associate - Garden City

Viktoriia who is working as a Store Associate at the Garden City location, moved here by herself in September of last year and was later reunited with her family. It was a hard decision to move, as “It’s so difficult to leave your home and go somewhere completely new,” Viktoriia expressed. However, after she applied and was hired at our Garden City location, the store staff helped her adapt to life in Canada as well as overcome challenges. “They really supported me and played a big role in helping me get settled here,” she said.

Viktoriia noted how people in her community are very positive and how that contributes to her being able to learn something new in her role at the Thrift Store everyday. Her final words of advice for those coping with change are: “Don’t be afraid and don’t give up, try your best.”

Tetiana shares a similar story. She moved to Canada with her family after receiving a VISA and work permit. Upon arrival, she started looking for a job right away and was hired as a Sales Associate at our Crestview Thrift Store. “It was like a miracle because I know how hard it is to get a nice job today.” Some of the challenges Tetiana experienced were the language barriers and adapting to all new norms. “It’s very hard when everything is new; especially when you have three kids and are responsible for your family. I had no choice—we need to be strong,” said Tetiana, who was promoted to Shift Supervisor in April of last year. She also added that, “I’m truly grateful to The Salvation Army and for the opportunity to stay in Canada. By getting this job, I have the opportunity to cover the needs of my children and my family.”

One of the most important skills Tetiana has developed has been the ability to listen and hear others, whether it’s with colleagues or a Guest “I always say that humanity is the grateful gift, and I understand all this in Canada from the process of working with The Salvation Army Thrift Store. Everyone can make mistakes, but kindness and mercy help to survive. Open your heart to others and you will definitely meet people who will support you.”

Tetiana - Shift Supervisor - Crestview

Viktoriia and Tetiana’s stories both capture the resiliency and support our employees and communities have for each other. We are honoured to offer our newcomer employees and friends a safe and welcoming space across our organization. THANK YOU Viktoriia and Tetiana for sharing your stories and for the great work you do.

Clutter-Free February: Give yourself and your preloved items a fresh start.

This February, join us in a movement that not only clears your space but also fills hearts. It’s time to turn your clutter into hope, your extra items into opportunities, and your generosity into real change. Embrace ‘Clutter-Free February‘ by donating what you no longer want or need to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store.

Through our Thrift Stores, your donations are given a second chance to bring joy to a new home while providing support to local Salvation Army programs and services – from food banks to shelters and children’s camps.

And did you know that decluttering can also be incredibly uplifting for your spirit and mental well-being? Clearing out the excess can bring a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of lightness. It creates space not just in your home but in your mind, reducing stress and anxiety. Studies show that a clutter-free environment can positively impact mental health, fostering a sense of calm and enhancing overall well-being.

Here’s a guide on how you can join us for Clutter-Free February:

Set Clear Goals:

Identify the areas in your home that need decluttering.
Set specific goals for each space, such as clearing out a closet, organizing a bookshelf, or decluttering the kitchen.

Sort and Prioritize:

Divide your belongings into categories (clothing, books, kitchen items, etc.).
Prioritize items based on usefulness, sentimentality, and frequency of use.

Keep, Donate, Discard:

For each category, decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to discard.
Be ruthless in letting go of items you no longer need or use.

Donate Responsibly:

Find your local Salvation Army Thrift Store to donate items in good condition: thriftstore.ca/locations.
Ensure that the items you donate are clean and functional.

Daily Decluttering Challenges:

Break down the decluttering process into daily challenges throughout February.
For example, focus on a specific room or category each day.

Let’s declutter with a purpose, transform lives, and strengthen our communities. Encourage friends, family, and your community to join this movement for good.

From Guest to Store Manager

Murray Perry was inspired to work at The Salvation Army Thrift Store after being a Guest himself! While frequenting the Fredericton store as a shopper, he formed meaningful relationships with the staff, and when he received news that there was an assistant manager position opening at the store, he jumped at the opportunity to apply and was hired in 2017! “It seemed like such a great place to work. The staff were very friendly. This is a company I really want to put myself into and work with.” When opportunity struck again in 2021, Murray applied to be the Store Manager at the Moncton Elmwood store, where he currently holds the position.

What motivates and engages Murray in his role is seeing the growth of his team and the positive social impact The Salvation Army has in our communities every day and around the world. “At the end of the day, you know you’re helping someone and the funds you raise go towards helping someone,” said Murray.

Murray also emphasized the importance of connecting with Guests on a daily basis. “Everyone has a story. I like to take some time every day if ever possible, whether on a break of mine or at the end of my shift before I leave for the day, to stop and talk with someone. A lot of perspectives have changed the way I look at the world. We also think of basic needs such as food, shelter, water, health care, but one thing that people kind of forget is the need to feel heard, seen and understood.”

Thank you, Murray, for keeping such a kind and open heart in serving our community and staff! You truly exemplify our values and mission as an organization!

Textiles Tuesday: Embracing Secondhand as Your First Choice

Today, we are celebrating Textile Tuesday as part Waste Reduction Week. While each themed day of Waste Reduction Week is important, Textiles Tuesday is especially meaningful to us as it raises awareness on the environmental consequences of clothing and textiles consumption, and provides information on how you can extend the life of your clothing and make more sustainable choices.

At The Salvation Army Thrift Store, we are committed to making secondhand the first choice in our communities by encouraging reuse and recycling through donating and shopping thrift. In fiscal year 2022-2023, we made a tangible impact on our environment by diverting more than 87 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills. In addition, we raised $787,082 with the support of our guests and donors to provide additional support to the work of The Salvation Army.

Making secondhand your first choice

Here are some facts and stats* on how choosing secondhand makes a difference:

On average, we only wear 50% of our clothes – the rest sits unused in our closets.

Consider donating clothing you no longer need, allowing your pre-loved items to bring joy to others within our local communities.

Canadians on average purchase 70 new articles of clothing a year.

Instead of buying new, explore our 96 stores across the country to discover thousands of Fab Finds at affordable prices. By doing so, you contribute positively to your community as, outside of administrative expenses, every dollar raised through our stores supports vital local Salvation Army programs and services.

It is estimated that 10.5 million tonnes of clothes and textiles in North America are lost to disposal every year.

We have 116 Donor Welcome Centres in Canada to make it easier and more convenient to donate, and all donors receive a 20% off coupon as a token of our appreciation.

This Textiles Tuesday and all other days, we encourage you to make secondhand your first choice so we can collectively continue to contribute to the circular economy and caring for our communities and the planet we share.

* Facts and stats published on the Circular Economy Month website

A Visit to Camp

In May, The Salvation Army Thrift Store launched our annual GoodWorks@Work® Send a Kid to Camp Campaign. By engaging 72,485 donors in our stores, we raised $193,302, which allowed us to send 773 kids to Salvation Army camps across Canada!

Attending a Salvation Army camp can be life changing for kids. As Camp Director Lieutenant Zach Marshall has said, “I see firsthand the needs of our children. I see the hurt, I see the brokenness of our world, and these children deserve to be kids. They deserve to come away from whatever difficulties they are facing in their family life. They deserve to come away and have a transforming experience at camp.”

Moreover, kids who attend our camps are given the opportunity to make life-long friendships, feel good about who they are, and learn new skills such as kayaking, rock climbing, swimming, etc. Engaging and educating our teams is also important to help make the connection between the communities we serve and the work we do as an organization.

By coordinating visits with the various camps across Canada, our employees were given the opportunity to visit camps in person. We saw firsthand how the funds raised through our Send a Kid to Camp GoodWorks@Work® Campaign stay within the community and how local children who attend camp are able to have incredible experiences they will remember for the rest of their lives.

We would like to thank our generous donors for their donations and support during this campaign. Together we are caring for our communities and making a difference in the lives of our neighbours.

Infused with a Passion for Art

Vernon Miike, our Oakville Store Manager is an artist at heart. With a background in abstract and classical fine art, Vernon brought his artistic talent to his work life when he painted an acrylic portrait of The Salvation Army’s founder, William Booth, which is now displayed at our Oakville Home office. What inspired him to paint the portrait is both the influence our founder has had in society by establishing the proud organization of The Salvation Army and the uniqueness of his physical appearance. “William Booth is a very intriguing man, with a distinguished look and I’ve always been captivated by interesting faces when I paint my portraits.”

In the past, Vernon has worked at different retail stores, but what he likes most about being at The Salvation Army Thrift Store, is that “It is a lot more personal, it’s more one-on-one. Being part of a non-profit is great. What we do helps our communities: the shelters, foodbanks, our campaigns such as Send a Kid to Camp; the list goes on and on. The atmosphere within our stores also reflects the community and the diversity of our team members encourages us to share input and that’s what makes us unique. The beauty of what we do is that we’re allowed to let our personalities show through.”

Caring for the planet we share is also a deep inspiration for Vernon both during work and off-duty. In his earlier days of being an artist, Vernon purchased canvases from art stores. However, now he repurposes old canvases. “I buy old canvases and paint over them, it’s a great way of helping the environment.”

Thank you, Vernon, for sharing your passion for art. We always love learning more about our teams and celebrating what makes them unique!