St. Paul's Thrift Shop Celebrates
its 30th Anniversary
St. Paul's Thrift Shop in its current location
on the campus of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Daphne
See a photo history of its five locations.
The Coastline September 2007
By Carol Turner
Special to The Coastline
Daphne, AL St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Thrift Shop celebrated its 30 year anniversary this past summer at the annual luncheon on Saturday, July 14, 2007. Thrift Shop founders and volunteers, past and present, were honored.
Nancy Moore (Mrs. Ack Moore, Sr.) was presented the “Volunteer of the Year” award, as has been the custom since 1979. Several years ago Nancy devised a plan for vouchers that are placed in the schools, churches, fire and 
police stations and other places like Prodisee Pantry, Ecumenical Ministries and Community Action so that persons in need may acquire the vouchers and present them at the Thrift Shop for a pre-set amount of goods appropriate for the needs and size of the family.
Since the establishment of the “Shop” in July 1977, the practice has been to contribute one half of net sales to deserving projects and/or organizations in our Gulf Coast area. The other half is ear-marked for St. Paul’s, Daphne and our Diocese.
This year’s recipients were guests at the luncheon and were presented their portion of the $40,000 total. Recipients for 2007 are: The Haven, The Lighthouse, The Shoulder, Wilmer Hall, William F. Green State Veteran’s Home, Care House, Mary’s Shelter, and Ruth Escobar Medical School Fund.
Three college or post graduate scholarships of $1,000 each were also presented to J.D. Ross, son of Bobbi Sue Ross; Katie Fowler, daughter of Robbin and John Fowler; and Lauren Lambuth, daughter Karen and Robin Lambuth.
From its inception, all items, clothing, housewares, books, electronics, etc. that the “Shop” sells are donations, and are sold at below bargain prices or given away in cases of dire need. For example, for three weeks after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the “Shop” closed so that clothing and other supplies could be boxed, delivered and personally dispensed in Mississippi, Louisiana and Bayou La Batre.
Boxes of construction items have been sent to Habitat for Humanity. More boxes of medical supplies and clothing have been delivered to missions in Central America and storm damaged areas in the Caribbean.
Marcie Morrow, Thrift Shop treasurer since 1997, verifies that charitable contributions since the hurricane through 2006 alone have totaled $665,000.
It is heartwarming to note the 30 years of growth in volunteers, donations and money earned to re-gift the community and its support. For all of this, St. Paul’s is very grateful, particularly since the Shop has been in five locations!
Very recently it has been The Thrift Shop’s pleasure to aid Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Gulf Shores in their efforts to start their own Thrift Shop.
St. Paul’s shop managers, Linda Manley and Robbin Fowler have good suggestions in that area. Donations of goods have been offered to Holy Spirit’s shop, as well.
Wonderful intangible benefits have resulted from the Thrift Shop’s existence, the most important one being the fellowship and loving care that the volunteers feels and share with each other and the community.
For more information on how to donate to or for volunteer opportunities at St. Paul’s Thrift Shop, please call 251.626.6102.
You are invited to
St. Paul’s Holiday Shoppe
November 17, 2007
10 am - 3 pm
&
November 18, 2007
9 am - 2 pm
Malone Hall
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
North Main St.
Daphne, AL
Both new and gently used items will be for sale.
______________________
This article was submitted by Carol Turner,
Parishioner of St. Paul's, Daphne, AL
and an active volunteer at St. Paul's Thrift Shop.
