Local Residents Raise "Fun" at Thrift Shop

“It really makes me happy when someone says, “I’ve been looking for something like this for two months,’” laughs Trumbull resident Marilyn Lord, one of the volunteer managers at the thrift shop “The Store” in Fairfield.  Located at the First Church Congregational United Church of Christ on Beach Road, The Store raises funds for the church, its outreach programs and many local charities.

According to Lord, “all sales revenue goes either to our outreach programs through our church or to other charities of our volunteers' choice. We have recently given monetary donations to two very worthy organizations: Emerge, an organization that serves victims of domestic violence, and Bread of Heaven, an organization that ministers to the hurting and lonely in our local communities. We have also given donations to Operation Hope and to Project Learn, a program through the Greater Bridgeport Council of Churches and Synagogues.”

Lord has been a volunteer manager at The Store since February of 2011.  When long-time manager Jean Caldwell retired at age 80 after 15 years of managing the store, a few of the store volunteers stepped forward to help out.  Serving as Chairman of the Church’s Resource Development Board, which oversees all fundraising activities, Lord had already served as the liaison to The Store, so it was a natural fit for her to step in as one of the
managers. 

Lord manages an “incredible group of volunteers,” including fellow Trumbull residents Eleanore Ott, Barbara Martin and Vera Nosal.   The Store is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. 

The Store is always looking for new volunteers, as well as donations of “gently used” clothing and household items.  Anyone interested in helping out should contact The Store at 203-259-0449.