Heritage Revival Thrift Shop seeks new volunteers

By Kaitlin Sylvester

The Heritage Revival Thrift Shop in Bancroft, part of CARE North Hastings, is looking for new volunteers for the upcoming season. This call for assistance comes at a crucial time as their sister store in Coe Hill recently faced two unfortunate robberies, which adds an urgency to the need for more helping hands.
The Heritage Revival Thrift Shop has been a cornerstone of the Bancroft community for many years. The store offers a unique shopping experience while supporting local seniors through CARE North Hastings programs and services. The shop operates entirely through the generosity and dedication of volunteers who donate hundreds of hours annually. These volunteers play a pivotal role in keeping the shop running smoothly, from accepting and sorting donations to assisting customers and maintaining the shop's appearance.
The call for volunteers reflects the shop's ever-growing needs. “We haven't identified a maximum number of volunteers to date. We are always in need of volunteers,” says Sarah Krieger, the client care coordinator/volunteer and community services at CARE. The shop seeks individuals with a variety of skills, including customer service, retail sales, merchandising, and marketing. Experience in repairing and testing small appliances, as well as handling books, toys, jewelry, hardware, linen, and home décor, is particularly valuable.Those with a creative flair for setting up unique and interesting displays are especially welcomed according to Krieger.
Volunteers are essential to the operation of the shop, says Krieger. “The store is completely run by our dedicated volunteers who donate hundreds of hours on an annual basis.” All funds raised are directed back to CARE North Hastings programs and services. Krieger outlines the responsibilities of the volunteers, saying, “they are in charge of sorting, repairing, testing, cleaning, pricing and merchandising the donated treasures.” Additionally they assist customers of the thrift shop with their purchases.
The shop also serves an environmental purpose by keeping a significant amount of items out of local landfills, promoting sustainability within the community. Kriger adds, “volunteers find personal fulfillment in their work, with many forming lasting bonds and staying with the organization for years. We have had volunteers join us 15+ years ago, and they thankfully are still part of our team. Our volunteers are very loyal.”
In light of the recent robberies at the sister store in Coe Hill, the Heritage Revival Thrift Shop's need for volunteers has become even more pressing. These incidents have underscored the importance of a robust volunteer base to ensure that operations can continue uninterrupted and that the stores can recover from these setbacks.
Volunteering at the Heritage Revival Thrift Shop offers a unique opportunity to give back to the community, meet new people, and be part of a supportive and dedicated team, says Krieger. The shop is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with hopes to expand hours to include Mondays and weekends if enough volunteers can be recruited. There is no deadline for applications; the shop actively reviews and welcomes applications as they come in.
Potential volunteers are encouraged to apply by contacting the volunteer coordinator at 613-332-4700. A background check and an interview are part of the application process, ensuring that all volunteers are well-suited to the shop's needs and can contribute effectively.
The Heritage Revival Thrift Shop is more than a store; it is a community hub that brings people together, supports local seniors, and promotes sustainability. By volunteering, individuals can make a significant impact, helping to maintain the shop's operations and supporting the broader mission of CARE North Hastings.