This achievement would not be possible without the incredible commitment of over 350 dedicated volunteers, who give their time and talents every day to make our shops run smoothly. At our anniversary celebration, our founder and President, Liz Parker, along with VP Edith L’Homme, warmly welcomed everyone and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the essential role our volunteers play. Marie-France Juneau, Executive Director of NOVA West Island, shared powerful stories and statistics, highlighting the real difference these efforts make—from palliative care to bereavement support, the impact of your purchases reaches far and wide.

Thrift Shops for NOVA truly are a hidden gem, powered by kindness and dedication. As we celebrate this 25-year journey, we look forward to continuing to grow, bringing affordable finds to the community and supporting vital health care services.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey, and here’s to the next 25 years of service and support—Happy Anniversary, Thrift Shops for NOVA!

Thrift Shop for NOVA regularly  welcomes John Abbott students for 13 weeks of community service as part of their curriculum.  The students assist in numerous responsibilities in the stores and gain important insight into the world of volunteering.

In addition, Thrift Shops for NOVA awards bursaries, twice a year to three students in the nursing program at John Abbott. Last month, Edith L’Homme represented Thrift Shops for NOVA in awarding 3 selected students bursaries of $1000 each. The thank-you letters received from the students are heartwarming, it has provided them with the encouragement and support that is needed to carry them through their studies. They voiced heartfelt gratitude for the confidence invested in them and we are so very proud to be part of these future nurses’ journey!

Thrift Shops for NOVA continues to support the John Abbott students this upcoming August 17^th with its participation in the Residence Move-In Day. The goal is to welcome and inform students of the supportive community they are entering. We look forward to participating in making the move to John Abbott Residences a fun and inviting event!

The sorting and organizing areas are a sight to behold, a symphony of efficiency and dedication. Each item is carefully inspected, ensuring only the best finds make it to the sales floor. It’s a meticulous process that ensures quality and value for every shopper who walks through our doors. What’s even more remarkable is that all the items in the stores are generously donated by the community. It’s a testament to the spirit of giving that thrives in our neighborhoods, as people come together to support a great cause;  majority of funds raised are directed to essential healthcare initiatives in our communities.

As a retailer myself, I am impressed by the attention to detail in merchandising and the ever-changing themes that keep the store feeling fresh and exciting. It’s like that famous line from Forrest Gump: “Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Every visit brings new surprises and hidden gems.

What truly sets Thrift Shops for NOVA apart is its incredible team of volunteers. Over 350 individuals, each bringing their unique talents and passion to the table, form the beating heart of the organization. The coordination required to staff five stores is no small feat, yet it is done with grace and enthusiasm. What’s even more inspiring is the sense of community among our volunteers. They don’t just work together; they support and uplift one another, forming bonds that extend far beyond the sales floor. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, this community of kind-hearted souls coming together to make a difference.

So, whether you’re a shopper, a donor, or a volunteer, know that you’re part of something truly special here at Thrift Shops for NOVA. Thank you for being a part of our journey, for supporting our mission, and for helping us spread joy and hope throughout our community. Together, we’re making a difference, one treasure at a time.

BB

We who volunteer at the Thrift Shops for Nova take on a variety of  tasks What’s your superpower?

There are many ways that you can volunteer your time. We are in need of individuals with varying skills including: retail experience, sales, pricing & processing of inventory, cashiers, social media, etc… but don’t worry, no experience is needed either… Come join the fun!

Are there any kindly local souls willing to donate a few hours of their busy weekends to a very worthy cause?

What we need are friendly greeters on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4.

These volunteers would both welcome our customers and receive our donors’ items. When the donation bins are full, these greeters would then transfer them through to the sorting room for processing. 

Thank you for considering this important position.

Please contact the volunteer staff at our Ste. Anne location to provide us with your contact information.

As such, we are ready for the challenge of receiving almost any type of donated goods you can provide us with. Indeed, we do everything possible to see these much-appreciated items go out to our customers ASAP. That is our goal.

Under normal circumstances, when your donations are in good condition, the turn-around time from you to the buyer is speedy and efficient, requiring almost no “re-conditioning.”  We may do a little cleaning, laundering or minor repairs to make the items attractive, but due to time constraints we must keep this to a minimum. So when we deem it necessary,  we pass on items to other charities. We value our customers and want all our products to be customer-worthy.

This picture, though, is quite a bit different after the time of our half-price sales.  That is indeed a sight to behold!

Early, on the Monday mornings after our 50% off weekends, when the stores are closed, a team of exhausted volunteers moves in and gets to work! In the case of clothing, we clear out at lot of the end-of-season stock that hasn’t sold at half-price and move the items over to the bargain alley at drastically reduced prices (50 cents!) or send them on to other charities. Then we bring out closets-full of newly prepared items for your selection.

In other departments too, we change the sticker to indicate the new half/or lower price. or give them a second life in Ste. Anne’s bargain alley. This is the case for many of our silver-plated pieces. How about a fancy, $2.00 silver-plated tea-pot to hang in your garden as a bird-house? Or a bundle of silver-plated cutlery to make a lovely wind-chime? The options for crafty people are endless!

The goal is a transformation of our boutiques for Tuesday’s door-opening at 10:00.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post about the work associated with major holidays like Halloween and Christmas.