People typically donate clothing, furniture, home decor, artwork and other items to charity for one of two reasons – they no longer use or need it, or it no longer suits their tastes.
Once the items are out of the trunk, that’s often the last time an individual will think about those soon-to-be-giveaways.
However, that’s just the moment when an item can start to have a tangible impact.
At Guadalupe Resale Shop, for instance, donations arrive by the carload, amounting to thousands of items over the course of a year. Those donations are resold within a few weeks, days or – in some cases – hours after receipt.
Whether it’s a pair of jeans priced at $10, a designer handbag reselling for $50 or an original oil painting valued at $500, every sale generates revenue that provides Immokalee children and teens with access to high-quality education programs at Guadalupe Center that will undoubtedly change their lives.
Unlike a typical retail operation that benefits owners, investors and shareholders, the Resale Shop benefits more than 1,950 students in Immokalee. Sales revenue helps pay for instructional materials, classroom supplies, learning aides, staff salaries, professional development opportunities, certification programs for teachers, and even transportation and tuition if families need financial assistance.
The backbone of every successful retail operation is a dedicated team of exceptional employees. The Resale Shop has just three full- and part-time employees, but relies on a sizable corps of passionate volunteers who freely give their time and energy.
Many are former educators, health care professionals and public service workers who recognize the value of community service. For this group, the term “dedicated” might be an understatement. During the most recent fiscal year, 105 volunteers provided more than 12,000 service hours working as cashiers, inventory managers, merchandising experts, customer service representatives and other roles.
Imagine if those volunteers were paid employees. At $15 an hour, the value of their service would equate to $181,218 – money that would no longer directly support educational programs at Guadalupe Center.
At times, shoppers are surprised that our volunteers are not employees because these dedicated helpers spend seemingly every day on the showroom floor. In fact, Barbara Loewel of Naples logged 583 hours during the 2023-24 fiscal year – equivalent to working more than 11 hours per week! Other loyal volunteers like Diane Mathews (519 hours), Sue Morgan (452 hours) and Harley Lappin (284 hours) also have given so much energy to the Resale Shop over the years. To them, it’s become much more than a place to volunteer. Here’s why they volunteer:
- The camaraderie: Although some volunteers arrive as part of a small group, it’s a great place to meet like-minded individuals who enjoy fun conversations while making a difference in the community.
- The cause: All students should have access to a high-quality education. Many students in Immokalee are the children of farmworkers, construction workers and hospitality employees, so for them, education offers hope for a more prosperous future.
- The connection: Most Southwest Floridians are from somewhere else. Volunteering for a local nonprofit offers exposure to local challenges, fueling a grassroots approach to enhancing the community.
Since Guadalupe Resale Shop was established in 2005, the operation has impacted thousands of lives, all because our community recognizes that the act of donating and buying can make a difference.
To our donors: thank you.
To our shoppers: thank you.
To our volunteers: thank you.
– By Greethel Leon, Manager of Guadalupe Resale Shop
