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Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store overwhelmed

The Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store in Sechelt has been getting too much of a good thing.
thrift
Donations are overflowing at the Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store in Sechelt.

The Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store in Sechelt has been getting too much of a good thing.

The Thrift Store raises over $500,000 a year to support Sechelt Hospital and other health care services on the Coast – and it’s the generous donations from the community that make it all possible. 

Lately, however, the store has been overwhelmed by the community’s generosity and has had to say no to new donations.

“We hate it when this happens, and we hope you will understand,” Healthcare Auxiliary VP Jen Gray said Tuesday. “Space at the store is limited and when it gets overfilled, it’s dangerous for volunteers and a potential fire hazard for everyone.” 

When the store reaches capacity, volunteer staff will temporarily display a large “No Donations” sign.

“In this event, our volunteers are not permitted to accept further donations. Also please note, the store can never accept any furniture or children’s equipment such as cribs, highchairs, strollers or car seats,” Gray said.

Usually, the store welcomes gently used donations. A list of accepted items can be found at sunshinecoasthealthcareauxiliary.com/what-we-do/the-thrift-store/. Donors can help the team by pre-sorting items and ensuring everything is clean and undamaged. If they can’t sell an item or donate it to another agency, the auxiliary has to shoulder the cost of garbage removal. If in doubt, call 604-885-4686 during working hours with your questions.

And remember, most of the volunteers are seniors – so if you struggle to lift a bag, so will they. 

Donations can be delivered inside from the back lane of 5693 Cowrie St., Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday/Monday 8 a.m. to noon. After hours, unbreakable items can be deposited in one of the two secure bins at the rear of the store. 

The auxiliary always welcomes new volunteers, as the task of sorting, pricing, displaying and selling takes many hands. If you are interested in volunteering and becoming an auxiliary member, click on the “Become a Member” link on the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary website and join the branch nearest to you.