Going Thrifty for Those in Need

In addition to the intense grief that comes with any death, Janet Hamilton said she was overcome by a sense of gratitude when her father lost his fight with cancer in February.

Hamilton said the care and level of comfort given to her father during his time in hospice astonished her, and she said she was so moved that she wanted to find a way to return that love and respect.

"All of the staff at the Rockingham VNA and Hospice [in Exeter] were really caring and great with my dad and my family, so I really wanted to give back," said Hamilton.

And given back she has, thanks in large part to her new nonprofit store, Journey Home Thrift, which is located at 200 Lafayette Road in North Hampton and donates all of its proceeds directly to the New Hampshire Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

The store held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony on Oct. 4, although Hamilton said it has been officially open since Aug. 9 and ever since has been "very busy," especially on the weekends.

Hamilton said there are many individuals who make a weekly or daily habit out of cruising through thrift stores in the area, and she said one reason why she's been successful thus far is because many of them — including several regular bargain hunters who frequented the thrift stores at which Hamilton used to work — have already added Journey Home to their shopping itinerary.

Kathy Landry, of Portsmouth, is one of those shoppers, and she said she's been coming since August because of the deals, as well as the fact that she too has a personal connection to the cause.

"My dad was in hospice in Merrimack," said Landry. "It'll be two years in November. Now, I do everything I can to support hospice because I think it's a wonderful resource for people. They were very good to my dad."

Janice McDermott, the executive director of NHHPCO, said its heartwarming that individuals have that connection with and desire to support her organization's services through Journey Home, which she said is the only New Hampshire nonprofit store connected to a state association.

McDermott said this kind of support is "huge" and "works twofold" because it not only supports services and patients during lean economic times, but because it also helps raise awareness of the fact that NHHPCO exists.

"It's getting harder and harder to raise money," said McDermott, who entered the field years ago because of the death of a close friend. "Providers have been cut... and Medicaid reimbursements have flatlined.

"This help means more staff time paid and more resources. Janet's done something very unique to support the cause and to have her business support that, and we love it."

Journey Home is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Additional information about the nonprofit store, including information about what and how to donate, is available on its website, while more information about NHHPCO is available here.