Habitat for Humanity celebrates National Thrift Store Day

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Central Valley Habitat for Humanity celebrated National Thrift Store Day on August 17 by offering their customers a discount and encouraging them to participate in their rewards program at their ReStore.

The ReStore is a multifunctional building for HFH. It gives people the opportunity to find furniture they like at a reduced price and it helps finance the organization’s housing projects for people who have difficulty purchasing a home.

The home isn’t free, but it’s available at a reduced price and interest rate, giving low-income individuals the same opportunity to own a home as other people. HFH said homeownership can often be a sign of wealth and independence for people, but often people can’t afford a home, especially given the lack of supply in the Shenandoah Valley.

Dennis Rawley, HFH’s board chairman, said people often confuse HFH’s mission with helping the homeless. The homes they build help people in the Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) group, who cannot afford to buy a home, start building intergenerational wealth. He said the organization helps put a smile on people’s faces by giving them another chance to break the cycle of poverty.

“Habitat for Humanity is a helping hand, not a condescending help,” Rawley said.

Rawley said the best part about working with HFH is the stories he hears every day. Whether it’s from another volunteer or a customer looking for a new sofa for their living room, the smiles keep him going.

“It’s so good to learn and get to know people. And I always say the best way to get to know people is to work with them and interact with them,” he said. “That’s what Habitat allows. Just like today, people come to shop and help them unload or load. It’s all fun and you get to know people in a different way.”

Dennis Rawley’s wife, Mary Jane Rawley, is a veteran volunteer at the ReStore. She said she helped the store get back up and running in January 2022 and, like her husband, enjoys seeing the smiles on people’s faces when she can help them.

“It’s kind of heartwarming,” she said. “It’s something that’s very, very important to me. It’s very important to me to be here. I plan everything around my days here and I miss it when I’m not here.”

Both Rawleys said HFH is always looking for volunteers if there is interest.

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