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The Salvation Army Thrift Store Opens Largest Location on Vancouver Island
Published June 13, 2024
From left to right: Captain David Hickman, Maria Guayacan, Ted Troughton, Taylor Griffith, Matthew Nogueira and Captain Gina Haggett.
We’re excited to announce the Salvation Army Thrift Store opens its largest location on Vancouver Island, British Columbia located in ever-growing community of Langford.
On June 6th, grand opening day, over 780 enthusiastic guests joined us to celebrate the opening of our 11,000-square-foot store at 975 Langford Parkway, near Westshore Town Centre. This new addition marks our second store in Langford and our eighth on Vancouver Island.
“The city of Langford is buzzing with growth and development, and we are thrilled to expand our community outreach to serve even more individuals and families,” says Ted Troughton, Managing Director at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “With the support of our guests, donors, employees, volunteers, and partners, the Westshore location will help us continue to uplift our local community.”
The new store offers a wide variety of gently used clothing, household items, electronics, art, books, and more. To make donating easier, we have a dedicated Donor Welcome Centre at the back of the store, accessible seven days a week.
If you would like to see our other locations, visit our full locations list.
"With the support of our guests, donors, employees, volunteers, and partners, the Westshore location will help us continue to uplift our local community."
On the Wings of Dragonflies Lies Hope and Joy for Community
Published November 15, 2024
The dragonfly is often seen as a symbol of change, rebirth, hope, and enlightenment, and when they alight in our lives or cross paths with us, these themes truly come to life. This is what happened during a special experience at the Moncton Elmwood Thrift Store, when members of the Horizon Health Network at the Moncton Hospital, located in Moncton, New Brunswick visited the store in search of donated bamboo dragonflies.
Paula Nolan-Jewell, an employee in the Recreation Therapy Department at the hospital, visited our store in advance and spotted the box of dragonflies. She and her team were inspired to return to the store and purchase them in bulk, hoping that their patients could paint the dragonflies as part of an uplifting activity for Recreational Therapy.
Before they began their search, staff from the Horizon Health Network approached our Store Manager Murray for assistance. Murray helped them initiate the search while being mindful of their budget. Once the search began for these beautiful dragonfly donations, other Guests joined in on the fun and it became a type of community treasure hunt in the store.
“Murray, an absolute angel of a manager at the local Salvation Army, is the living embodiment of their ‘…to share hope, wherever there is hardship…’ philosophy!” said Paula, who was thrilled to have found the dragonflies in bulk. To make the experience even more special, another Guest from the store paid for the total cost of the dragonflies on behalf of the Horizon Health Network.
Reflecting on the experience, Murray added, “The generosity of the Guests was incredible. Usually, the items we sell have an impact on the person purchasing them, but this time, the impact was felt across an entire hospital. To see our community come together and spread kindness, hope, and healing is truly inspiring. That’s what we aim for—being more than just a store. We want to spread hope and joy, and it’s amazing to see others carry that forward.”
Paula also said, “We had such an abundance of beautiful dragons, we bundled them up and delivered them around the hospital to areas we thought could use a little extra delight! Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, The Ronald MacDonald House, Phlebotomy, the Friends of Moncton Hospital, Wellness Hub…We have already spotted a few flying on fingers around the lobby!”
It’s wonderful to see how the dragonflies have made a meaningful impact on the Horizon Health Network community. We’re truly amazed when our communities and stores come together to achieve a shared goal. A heartfelt thank you goes to Store Manager Murray and our friends at Horizon Health Network for making a difference to their local community!
Salvation Army Thrift Store Community Making Camp Dreams Come True
Published September 2, 2025
This summer, 758 children across Canada are creating memories that will last a lifetime—laughing around campfires, learning new skills, and building friendships. These moments of joy were made possible thanks to the dedication of our Thrift Store team and the generosity of our guests through the GoodWorks@Work Send a Kid to Camp campaign.
Together, we raised an astounding $189,670, giving children who might never have had the chance to attend summer camp.
But the power of this initiative goes far beyond numbers—it comes to life in the laughter, excitement, and gratitude of kids finally getting to just be kids.
This summer, our employees from across the country visited Salvation Army camps to witness the impact of the campaign.
“Being able to see firsthand where the money goes and the kids from the various communities that are supported puts it in perspective,” says Sarah Jackman, a store associate at the Streetsville location in Mississauga, Ontario. “The kids really want to be there, and they appreciate what it took to get them there.”
At Jackson’s Point Camp in Ontario, Sarah met a 10-year-old boy who shared that swimming would be the highlight of his week. In that simple moment, the meaning of the campaign became clear to her.
“Camp helps with social development. It takes their minds off things at home. Seeing them so appreciative, so respectful, just enjoying life as regular kids—it really warmed my heart.”
In Alberta, staff from the Red Deer Thrift Store visited Pine Lake Camp, where they toured the grounds and connected with campers and staff, seeing the results of their efforts up close.
“Being there and feeling the positive energy—it’s very impactful,” says shift supervisor Mackenzie Smith. “You could tell they were having fun. It really is a great opportunity to help make a difference in a child’s life.”
For fellow supervisor Donna Hall, the experience confirmed just how meaningful the campaign is to the children who benefit from it.
“Sending a kid is great but seeing programs being developed that many kids can enjoy—that’s wonderful. I didn’t see a single sad face.”
Behind every dollar raised is a story—a child gaining confidence, discovering new talents, or making a friend for the first time. Thanks to the generosity of our guests and the passion of our employees, hundreds of kids are experiencing a summer they’ll never forget.
Brave Day Builds Confidence—One Outfit at a Time
Published September 25, 2025
On June 28, The Salvation Army North York Temple hosted Brave—a one-day event that empowered 24 young women aged 12 to 18 through a day of creativity, connection, and confidence-building.
While the day included games, jewelry-making, guest speakers, and even a dance class led by a participant, one of the most anticipated moments came during one of the activities: a personalized thrift shopping experience.
“This is always one of the highlights of the day,” said Major Glenda Davis, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army North York Temple. “The girls were peeking earlier in the day, excited to see what clothes might be waiting for them.”
Through a collaboration with The Salvation Army North York Thrift Store at 3711 Keele Street, gently used clothing was provided and beautifully displayed on racks at the event venue, creating a boutique-style experience where each participant could select items free of charge.
“We’re honoured to support an event like Brave,” said Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “People donate to our Thrift Stores knowing their pre-loved items will be given a second chance while making a difference in someone’s life. Collaborations like this are a powerful way to see that impact in action.”
One of the participants, Emma, says she looks forward to attending Brave every year.
“One of the highlights for me is the clothing drive—discovering high-quality clothes, designer shoes, and other great finds is always exciting. It’s something my friends and I truly enjoy, and I know many others feel the same,” she said.
The Thrift Store donation included a mix of stylish jeans, dresses, and tops. Each girl selected items to take home, which were packed alongside their handmade cookies, jewelry, and other takeaways from the day.
“For some of these girls, buying new clothes just isn’t an option,” Major Glenda explained. “Having the opportunity to pick out something beautiful and take it home gave them such a boost—it lifted their spirits and added to their sense of self-worth.”
Major Glenda also expressed deep gratitude for the support from The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “This collaboration is such a meaningful example of how The Salvation Army comes together to meet the needs of our community. It was truly one Army at work.”
Bringing the Community Together Through Song
Published October 20, 2025
When wildfires broke out across eastern Newfoundland and Labrador near St. John’s this summer, Salvation Army St. John’s West Corps Officers Natalia and Brian DeBoer knew they wanted to help. Together with their 14-year-old daughter, Kylynn, they decided to share their gift of music to support those affected.
The family recently brought their musical and vocal talents to The Salvation Army Kenmount Thrift Store in St. John’s, turning an ordinary afternoon into a community concert.
“Over the course of an hour, as they performed traditional Newfoundland songs, donors generously contributed to the wildfire relief fund,” says Kenmount store manager Letty Stone.
“The DeBoers have been working tirelessly to raise support for the fire relief efforts through their gift of music since the devastating fires started,” Letty says. “The music was very well received by our guests—we had a lot of great comments.”
For the DeBoers, the event was more than just fundraising for an important cause.
“I see people who are connecting with our Thrift Store as partners with The Salvation Army,” says Brian. “We wanted to reach out through a window from The Salvation Army into the community.”
This wasn’t the first time the family brought joy to the thrift store through music. Last Christmas, they performed at the Kenmount store, spreading seasonal cheer to guests and staff while raising funds for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign.
“This valued partnership with the DeBoers showcases the role of our stores as a place of connection and hope,” Letty says.
Sorting for a Stronger Community
Published December 16, 2025
We were delighted to welcome a group of Walmart employees to our Oakville Distribution and Recycling Centre (DRC) for a hands-on volunteer experience. The visit began with a tour of the DRC, where participants learned about our operations and community impact. The highlight of the day was a collaborative sorting activity, where Walmart employees worked alongside our Thrift Store managers, DRC team members, and Business Development staff to process business and community donations.
As part of the sorting process, items were recorded on inventory sheets to ensure a balanced and fair distribution to our Thrift Stores. It was a meaningful day of teamwork, learning, and shared commitment to sustainability and community support.
See what the Walmart Team shared about their experience: “Volunteering at The Salvation Army Thrift Store is not only meaningful for our Walmart Canada team but also an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the communities we serve. When our associates return from volunteering, they come back engaged and inspired. The energy and passion of The Salvation Army team is truly amazing, and it motivates us to continue the important work of supporting communities.”
We are grateful to Walmart for their continued partnership and to their team members for rolling up their sleeves to make a meaningful difference.