New Year, New Beginnings

With the commencement of a new year, there have been new things happening at the ReStore.

 To start with, the ReStore is excited to welcome a new manager, Peter Blais, who started with the organization in January. Peter and his wife Sandra hail from Ottawa and recently relocated to Camrose to be nearer their children who now live in western Canada. Peter brings to the table extensive experience in managing medium sized organizations as well as numerous years in sales.  Peter appreciates meeting ReStore customers and friends so when you are in the store feel free to introduce yourself.

In January 2015 the ReStore welcomed new manager, Peter Blais.

“The first thing you may notice as you near the ReStore is the new signage. The new sign is substantially larger than the previous sign making our location much more visible.

When you walk in the store you will also notice some changes. More floor space is now dedicated to the display of furniture. You will find an abundant selection of chairs, couches, desks, dressers and related items.  In addition we have added artificial plants to decorate the store which were generously donated by individuals from Camrose. We hope the new ambiance provides our shoppers with a more pleasant experience.

An interesting fact about our products is that 45% of our inventory is brand-new and generously donated to the ReStore from several retailers in the region.

I have enjoyed getting to know our dedicated staff and volunteers.  The success that we experience in the ReStore wouldn’t be possible without their knowledge, skills and time.

Sales Associate Dwayne Wolgemuth

Dwayne is the face you will see if you have scheduled pickups for your donations or are looking for product in the store. His organization, navigation, strength, enthusiasm and product knowledge are a great asset.  Dwayne is also the founder of the DIY Challenge that is now an annual event at the ReStore.  See the Calendar of Events in this newsletter for more information on this event.

Sales Associate Ed Turner

If you’re looking to buy doors or windows, Ed is your go to person to help you with your needs. Ed has a good background in renovations and door fabrication. He has done a great job in organizing all our doors and windows in the cold storage warehouse so that shoppers can more easily find what they need.

Our friendly cashiers Vicki, Daisy, Pansy, Angie and Carole are always there with a friendly smile and willing to assist shoppers.

Volunteers Shirley, Susan, Pansy, (Brenda), June, Angie & Daisy

Volunteer, Vicki, with a Japan exchange student.

Carole helps out on the till and organizing product on the floor

Our crew of Herman, Ken, Mike, Bob, Paul and Dave are amazing at doing the repairs of electrical appliances, engines and just about anything which needs some TLC.

 

Working in the back to fix items that come in as donations.

Most furniture is pre-owned and is reconditioned where possible by our dedicated volunteers. Dorothy & June generously contributes their time to make sure the products we put on the floor are clean and in good order.

Dorothy does a lot of the cleaning of products that come into the ReStore.

June sorts and organizes to help make the store look as good as it does.

Unloading donated product at the ReStore

And it takes a lot of muscle to load and unload all the various donations. Thanks to Neil, Ben, Jim, Doug, Ray, Zack and Dennis we are able to efficiently move furniture and other products to and from the store.

Without our volunteers, ReStore would not be able to operate at the level that it does.

Our Volunteers are the greatest!!!!!”

Peter Blais – ReStore Manager

Camrose ReStore: Celebrating Habitat’s Behind-the-Scenes Volunteers

Every family deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.   Because of Habitat for Humanity thousands of homes are built worldwide each year to help families.  And the ReStore is where so much of the work to build Habitat homes begins. On October 6 we celebrate World Habitat Day.  To commemorate this day we are celebrating the local volunteers that put 1000’s of hours in at the ReStore each year, (rounding 6500 this year already!) to make your shopping experience a great one and generate funds for building more homes in Camrose.

Receiving donations at the ReStore

It starts from the ground up beginning with donations  from the community. We have an amazing community that uses the ReStore to recycle, restore and reuse gently used items such as appliances, furniture and building supplies.  Then the amazing volunteers kick in their hard work, from pick-ups, sorting items, fixing, cleaning, sales, running the till, and much, much more. The sales from the ReStore covers all of the administrative costs to run Habitat Camrose, making sure that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to building homes.  The ReStore is also able to direct needed cashflow towards each year’s build.

Sorting and organizing is a huge part of making the ReStore look good.

It is always amazing to see just how much is being done through Habitat, worldwide and here in Camrose.  This past year we were privileged to see the 25th and 26th families in Camrose receive their Habitat Homes.

We’re not just helping families in need purchase an affordable house, they’re also receiving a home. Children generally become happier and more outgoing, leading to improved grades and better health.  Parents have used their newly discovered sense of accomplishment to return to school, learn a new trade, or upgrade their job skills.  The impact is immediate – the effects everlasting.

Having a safe and secure place to live benefits everyone in the family and community.

We take this time to thank all the volunteers who work behind the scenes at Habitat Camrose ReStore.  Without them, the ReStore would not be the success that it is today.  Thank you for your dedication of skills and hard work at the ReStore to help with one step in the process of giving hardworking families a hand up out of poverty through affordable home ownership.

Volunteering at the ReStore helps to build homes.

Habitat Camrose – Calendar of Events (Aug – Oct 2014)

• All Year Long – STUDENT DISCOUNT

Students show us your current Student ID Card and receive 10% off items at the ReStore year round!

 

• August 30 – Sept 6, 2014 – GRAND RE-OPENING SALE

You are invited to the ReStore Warehouse GRAND RE-OPENING Sale!

ReStore associates and volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes, literally, cleaning up and reorganizing the yard and         warehouse. Now it’s time to show it off!

August 30 – September 6, 2014       25% off storewide

Looking forward to seeing you at the ReStore!

 

• Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 

We’ll be visiting you!

Habitat Camrose is partnering with U of A Augustana for the orientation of this year’s new students into the community of Camrose.  As a community initiative, students will be knocking on doors to share information about the work that Habitat for Humanity does in Camrose and the difference your donation can make to help a hard working family in need break the cycle of poverty through home-ownership.

 

• Thursday, September 4, 2014  – COMMUNITY REGISTRATION NIGHT

Want more info on how you can be a part of the work that Habitat Camrose does in the Camrose community?                                      Habitat will be at the 8^th Annual Community Registration night

Thursday, Sept 4, 2014       6:30 – 9:00pm         Camrose Field House (4516 – 54 St)

Click here for more info.

 

• Saturday, September 27, 2014 – BUILDING HOPE FUNDRAISER

We’re looking for you! A fun and engaging way to raise funds to build Habitat Homes in Camrose. Enter a team to build grain bin bottoms to help hardworking families in need.  No construction experience necessary.

Follow this link for more information on the event and how to enter

Grab a hammer and join in!

 

• Saturday,  October 4, 2014 – ReStore VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BBQ

Thank you to all the invaluable men and women that volunteer their time to make the ReStore the success that it is. We are hosting an Appreciation BBQ for you!  Watch our website and Facebook page for all the details to come.