I’ve mentioned before how amazing my volunteers are – but have I ever told you how inspiring I find them? No? Let me do so now.
First, I want to remind you there are three – don’t even need a full hand to count to three – only three Ashley Furniture/Outreach Community Ministries employees. Yes – all three of us work full-time and yes, we typically work more than 40 hours/week. But even if we worked 60 hours every week we couldn’t do what needs to be done: picking up, off loading, arranging, pricing, assisting customers, and oh so many more things, by ourselves. Nope – no way, couldn’t be done.
That’s where volunteers come in. A good percentage of our volunteers are retired. Makes sense since we need help during the week. So, when do people retire? Some as young as mid-fifties – but most in their sixties and seventies.
Here’s what I find so inspiring. When I think about myself – less than a month from my 54th birthday – in ten or 20 years moving furniture, dealing with customers (thankfully generally wonderful), working in a dingy, hot (in the summer) cold (in the winter) warehouse for zero pay – I’m not sure that’s how I want to spend my “golden years.” Yet I’m extremely grateful others see giving back, contributing to a greater good, staying active – physically, emotionally, and mentally, as important and what’s so inspiring to me.
Additionally, these intelligent, active older adults who volunteer at Ashley (as well as other places – their churches, food pantries, other non profits) – are dealing with health issues, family crisis and a multitude of other things which constitute life – and doing it with grace, humor and a positive attitude! Are they some sort of “super” humans? No – regular Joes (and Josephines!) – not a single super power among the group.
Though you’ll need the super power of taking in a vast amount of amazing, quality, used furniture this week! Wow – there’s a ton of stuff to show you and it’s not even everything “new” that’s been donated! Remember, we’re open Friday from 1 to 8 and Saturday from 9 to 4.
gorgeous lighted curved front curio cabinet priced $245
fabulous Room and Board sofa in mint condition EXCEPT for front seam coming apart. This is the third sofa we’ve received with this issue – and I don’t believe they sell this style of couch any longer because of the tendency for the seat seam to come undone. Priced at only $95 this is a steal but you gotta get creative about the rip (which all Ashley Furniture customers are known for – being amazingly creative!)
super dark (almost black) stained oak small hall or entry table priced $55 (Crate and Barrel chairs next to it are $40 each)
Remember Marshall Field’s? These pieces are from Field’s – both are in great shape though need to be cleaned – loveseat is priced $95; chair $50
fabulous micro-suede sofa with dual recliners in great condition priced $295
wonderful cane back side chairs (seat cushions need to be spot cleaned) priced $50 each
lovely green color fabric on this sleeper sofa priced $85
it’s not too late to invite friends/family over to dine out or simply sit on your deck/patio and enjoy the cool fall weather – and you can with this black wrought iron bench priced $35; round wrought iron table with four chairs priced $95; additional matching chairs priced $17.50 each; smaller black table priced $20
amazing drop leaf table with 2 leaves, 6 chairs and table pads all for $345 (blue seat cushions are attached to chairs)
lovely Thomasville buffet priced $125
great smaller side chair for $65; matching sofa for $95
four piece sectional – both ends recline – note rips along back of one piece but otherwise in very good condition – priced $135; square butler’s table priced $35
neither photos does justice to this unbelievably gorgeous Pennsylvania House two piece secretary w/hutch priced $295
we have two Pablo – tube top – lamps priced $35 each (they retail for around $120) but the white shade has some dirt smudges and the gray shade has a small rip – so not sure what can be done (I couldn’t find replacement shades online)
wonderful wooden outdoor glider with cushions priced $45; side table for either $15 or $20 (forgot to write the price down!)
fabulous cedar chest for $135
wonderful lighted roll top desk for $185
great wingback chair is priced $65
top needs to be refinished but this is a cool retro buffet priced $65
we’ve decided to sell all of our books (paperback, hard cover, children’s, all books) for 25 cents and we have a good amount available
all these pieces are from Vermont of Winooski and are solid rock maple and in excellent condition (tops all have protective glass) – one piece is missing one drawer pull – six drawer dresser is priced $75; smaller cabinet with one drawer and two doors is $35; three drawer dresser w/hutch is $55; desk with two hutches is $85
I am so in love with these Henry Link bamboo, painted pieces – you can’t not smile when looking at them! – they do smell musty though – the desk with hutch and chair is priced $225; the six drawer dresser is $175
here’s Nate (one of my amazing, inspiring volunteers!) putting together a king size brass bed with headboard, footboard and side rails priced $135 (brass is tarnishing is various places)
fun blue checked slip covered wingback chair for $45
fine sofa – but needs to be cleaned – is $55
gorgeous glass and brass oval coffee table for $95; matching end table for $65
The other thing I’ve noticed as I’ve considered my fabulous volunteers is they’ve made a choice – a conscious decision – to find things they’re passionate about and stay involved. Sure you may occasionally find them rocking on their front porch – but you’re much more likely to find them tying a mattress to the top of someone’s car or sharing the best place to get something reupholstered or explaining how your purchase is helping others through Outreach Community Ministries.
Oh, and for Gordon and his fabulous wife – celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary – but not until they’ve taken the young mom from their church to the grocery store, and helped an immigrant get his driver’s license, and visited a fellow in jail…
As corny as it sounds – every day you, dear reader, have choices as to how to spend your time – much of it probably eaten up by your job – but what of the rest of if? What about when you’re no longer working? The way my volunteers have answered these very questions is an encouragement and inspiration to us all.
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