Carole Plunkett started volunteering with another thrift shop but she, along with other local volunteers, were concerned that the dollars they were raising we not staying in Cramahe Township, so together they formed a new shop called the Cramahe Family Thrift Shop, so that the dollars raised benefitted local organizations or families in crisis.
“We will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary,” said Carole Plunkett. “We first opened our doors on September 4th, 2019.”
Carole serves at the Board President and works tirelessly, many hours managing the daily store operations and also comes in when the store is closed to deal with maintenance related issues, all to ensure the success of the Cramahe Family Thrift Shop.
“I am most proud of the loyalty of our volunteers,” said Carole. “It is a lot of hours for me, and yes it can be a bit time consuming, but I love it, and the volunteers that work with me, make it fun.”
In 3 years, the Cramahe Family Thrift Store has grown and thrived through COVID.
“We disinfected all items and held clothing for a week before putting it on the floor for sale,” added Carole. “We are all willing to do whatever we had to do to keep the store open during COVID.
In September, the Board will be electing a new President.
“We are always looking for more volunteers who would like to help in the shop,” said Carole. “But without volunteers in our community, I don’t know where were we would be, even if you’re volunteering in a hospital or just a little thrift shop like yours, it all makes a difference.
Carole’s team started out making only small donations in the community but as the success of the shop continued, they have been able to make larger gifts.
“We started with $300 to $500 gifts,” said Carole. “We now are able to meet a monthly $500 commitment to the Cramahe Food Bank and recently we made a $3,000 donation to the local curling club to replace their machine that makes their playing ice.”
Many local Cramahe organizations have benefitted from the sales of the Cramahe Family Thrift Shop.
“We also recently donated a $1,000 to Music in the Square, we support the Library and the local Rotary Club when they have a specific project,” added Carole.
Carole along with her team of volunteers donate many hours, sorting donated items, pricing, displaying and working with customers, all to ensure that they can support the work of other local organizations and families who may be in crisis anywhere in the Township.
“We recently supported 2 families who lost all their belongings to fires in the Castleton area,” said Carole. “We stepped up to get them what they needed.”
You can help too. If you have clean clothing, housewares, shoes, artwork, books, toys, kitchen appliances, bathroom, and gift items, the Cramahe Family Thrift Shop will take it.
“Sometimes we even get new items too, so you just never know what we have ready for sale,” added Carole. “It’s not just me, it’s a team effort and I am so proud of the volunteers and this shop.
Carole has created a team of volunteers who laugh and have fun while they work? Why not consider joining in the fun and take a shift or two.
For more information about the Cramahe Family Thrift Shop call 905-355-2505 or find them on Facebook (4) Cramahe Family Thrift Shop Non-Profit Inc | Facebook
Volunteer Appreciation Day, powered by Coldwell Banker RMR Real Estate.
To hear more about Carole Plunkett, one of Northumberland’s outstanding volunteers, click on the audio link below to hear our full interview.
