Editor:
Re: Expansion doubles thrift-shop space, March 11.
It was gratifying to us as volunteers at the White Rock South Surrey Hospice Thrift Shop to see coverage of the shop in Peace Arch News.
Without volunteers and generous donors and the time, skills and support given freely to this worthy charity, the shop could not operate. The many compliments received from customers regarding its attractiveness, pleasant atmosphere and interesting variety of quality goods is music to our ears.
Manager Ann Clouston, whose name did not appear in the article, should most certainly be acknowledged as a major influence on the shop’s ongoing success. As thrift shop manager for the past five years of the eight since it was opened, Ann’s proficiency and devotion to it have been important contributing factors in the steadily increasing income in its fund-raising for the society.
The genuine goodwill and appreciation she demonstrates towards both volunteers and customers has made the shop much more than simply a place to find good used items for less cost.
Due to retirement, relocation, loss of loved ones and other circumstances, many of us that volunteer at the shop no longer have the social contacts we had in the past. Ann’s warm personality and positive energy have fostered a sense of belonging, the comfort of feeling valued as staff members in a co-operative team effort and the formation of close friendships amongst shop volunteers.
She truly deserves recognition for all that she has brought to her position as manager.
Thank you, Ann, for your hard work, creativity and kind interest in the wellbeing of your volunteers as well as in the Society’s cause.
Jean Herron, Surrey
…
Thank you to the White Rock/South Surrey community for your spectacular participation in the grand expansion/eight-year anniversary sale of the White Rock South Surrey Hospice Society Thrift Store.
We are humbled by your generosity and are so proud to be a local business giving back directly to the community we live in.
That said, there are some people that we would like to publicly recognize for attending our ribbon cutting, including White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Stephanie Cadieux, chamber executive director Cliff Annable, Peace Arch News, WRSS Hospice Society board members, Rotarians other community service groups, all of the dedicated and committed hospice volunteers, Ann Clouston and our team of volunteers who always go above and beyond to ensure that our store looks amazing, is clean and well presented. Also, the executive director and all the staff from the hospice society that put in countless hours above and beyond to ensure the community’s needs with regard to grief and palliative care are being met.
Lastly but not least by far, all our wonderful donors and customers who come by when they can to donate, to shop and to offer encouragement.
Without you, our store would not be what it is. Your continued support gives our store meaning and a continued future in our community and we are so very grateful.
Victoria Biggs, White Rock South Surrey Hospice Society Thrift Store
