D-M Thrift Shop reopens in grand fashion

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  From tools and trampolines to vinyl albums and vintage apparel, the base thrift shop displayed its wares Aug. 3, 2010, during its annual August reopening.

The shop closes in July to clean, reorganize and accommodate volunteers' vacation schedules, and this was the first reopening since their move to a new location - Building 4201, previously the community center -- earlier this year.

"The new location is definitely nicer," said Rick Crowl, a maintenance painting contractor who's been a patron of the D-M Thrift Shop since he started working on base in 2004. "There's more room now, more items, and it's all displayed really well."

The shop also has a new manager, Donna Marie Coleman, a retired Air Force master sergeant and former first sergeant.

"As a first sergeant, I was always involved with thrift shops," Ms. Coleman said. "It's important to me personally because it's one of the significant examples of how in the military it isn't just the active-duty person who serves -- it's everybody. It's their family members, it's retirees.

"A thrift shop is an example of how, in a military community, everybody gives of themselves, and it doesn't end when you retire from the military."

And the community aspect isn't just present in the operation of the shop - the final proceeds from sales go to charitable efforts overseen by the D-M Officers' Spouses Club and the D-M Enlisted Spouses Association, both of which jointly administer thrift shop operations. Most commonly, the two groups are able to give away college scholarships to students in need.

"Every April we have a scholarship dinner," said Jane Herron, supervisor of donations and 10-year thrift shop volunteer veteran. "We get to meet (the students) and it's amazing."

With a steady stream of customers, some of whom waited outside the doors before they opened, it's easy to see how the not-for-profit thrift shop can make a lot of money for philanthropic benefit - the merchandise is attractive and in good condition.

"What I love about military thrift shops particularly is that you're going to walk into one, and you're going to find stuff from all over the world, because the people who are giving or consigning have been all over the world," Ms. Coleman said. "If we walked around right now, I bet we could find stuff from 10 different countries without even trying."

If you're interested in donating or consigning items - 70 percent of proceeds go to the consignee - stop by Bldg. 4201 or call 228-2120. Donating is even easier now, too, thanks to the new indoor dropoff area on the north side of the building.

And the shop is always looking for volunteers. Customer demand is high, so a bigger volunteer force could allow the shop to expand its business hours.

"I just think it's a great cause," said Ms. Herron. "My heart is with the military. My husband gave 23 years, and I feel like I have to give back."

The D-M Thrift Shop is open from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and again from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month from August 2010 to June 2011.