Community Benefit Day - Bargains Galore Thrift Store

Home

Bargains Galore Thrift Store, Waupun, recently donated $1,000 to REACH Waupun. They are this year’s recipient of the store’s 9^th Annual Community Benefit. Since opening their doors in 2001, Bargains Galore is proud to have given over $21,000 to other non-profit and worthwhile community organizations. “We are so grateful to be a part of this supportive community and glad we can share the blessings,” remarked Brenda Hofman, Store Manager. “The mission of REACH Waupun to assist adults, children and families correlates so well with our Mission here at Bargains Galore - …making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

REACH Waupun is focused on creating a community where neighbors help neighbors to reach their highest potential. “We thank Bargains Galore for their generous response, and we value their partnership in our community. This contribution will help us serve young and old alike,” stated Kathy Schlieve, Economic Development Planner, City of Waupun.

Specifically, funds received from Bargains Galore will be used to provide taxi and gas vouchers for senior citizens and students faced with transportation barriers to travel to and from doctor’s appointments, work, the grocery store, school or the senior center. A portion of the funds will be used to provide vouchers to restore energy services in homes currently without service. The final portion of this donation will be used to develop parenting education and support programs that will serve to strengthen families within our community.

REACH Waupun is a community-based, non-profit that is working to address resource gaps that exist for local adults, children and families in need. The goal of REACH is to develop a way to unite in a community-wide effort to connect resources that will help individuals and families REACH their highest potential. For more information contact at Kathy at 920.420.0955 or email info@reachwaupun.org to see how you can help.

Bargains Galore is a non-profit resale store staffed with over 160 volunteers, raising funds for Central Wisconsin Christian School. The store is located at 810 W. Main St., Waupun. Store & Donation Center Hours: Thursday 10am – 8pm, Friday & Saturday 10am – 2pm. www.BargainsGaloreThriftStore.com or find us on Facebook.

8th Annual Community Benefit Day - Bargains Galore Gives to Relay for Life!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store recently donated $1,000 to Relay for Life. Brenda Hofman, manager, pictured right, presents the check to Sara Mulder, Relay for Life volunteer, pictured left. Bargains' volunteers on-hand for the presentation from front left: Alice Posthuma, Carol Thurk, Carol Jansma, Stephanie Buteyn. Second row left: Ruth Buwalda, Bea TeGrootenhuis, Louie Wierenga. Back row left: Gary Buteyn, John DeJager. For information, visit bargainsgalorethriftstore.com

7th Annual Community Day - Bargains Galore Supports The Waupun Christian Home!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store, Waupun, recently donated $1500 to The Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center, Inc. They are this year’s recipient of the store’s 7^th Annual Community Benefit. Since opening their doors in 2001, Bargains Galore is proud to have given over $18,000 to other non-profit and worthwhile community organizations. “We are so grateful to be a part of this supportive community and glad we can share the blessings,” remarked Brenda Hofman, Store Manager. “The Christian Home plays a unique and important role in our community - we’re happy to support them in this way.”

Waupun Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center’s Mission –Enriched by our Christian philosophy of care and compassion, we are a model of healthcare excellence in meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those whose lives we touch. The Church is our foundation. Compassion is our guide. The Christian Home was founded by the Reformed and Christian Reformed churches and opening its doors in 1954. This year celebrating our 60^th Anniversary. Today churches of varying denominations help support the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center.

Christian Living Center is a registered Assisted Living Facility located on 331 Bly Street. Beautiful 1 or 2 bedroom apartments offer a host of amenities and maintenance-free living. Affordable assisted living services tailored to meet personal needs and budget are available with a friendly and caring staff onsite. Christian Homestead is a community based residential facility specializing in memory care. Located in a lovely neighborhood, the facility offers home-like living in a safe, secure environment with 24 hour supervision and assistance. Marie’s Place is an Adult day/respite care providing social interaction, activities and assistance with activities of daily living. This service is located at the Christian Homestead.

“The Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. is honored that Bargains Galore supported our organization with a generous community gift of $1500. We are humbled by the hard work of the volunteers that goes into supporting their organization and that they chose to share the gift with us,” said Barbara Wirkus, NHA Christian Home & Rehabilitation. Center. “We would like to use the money to enhance the resident areas outside. Our goal is to provide comfortable sitting areas, adequately shaded, flowers and bird feeders-all for the residents’ enjoyment.”

Bargains Galore Thrift Store Supports Waupun Educational Foundation

Bargains Galore Thrift Store supported the Educational Foundation of Waupun by donating $500 to the Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to promote excellence in education through the use of private resources. The Foundation provides a link between public and parochial schools in the Waupun Area School District by providing grants to teachers and scholarships to students. This year $6,000 in scholarship money has been divided between CWC and WHS, given to students who best meet the criteria and pursue post – secondary studies. Approximately $5,000 in grant money was divided this year by CWC and schools in WASD to teachers who submitted innovated projects who focus on using media and /or technology to supplement current curriculum that would otherwise be unavailable to them within school budgets.

These initiatives are possible because of donations from local businesses like Bargains Galore Thrift Store, civic, private sectors and individuals. The Education Foundation is prepared to manage bequests, endowments and funds. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible. More information regarding the Foundation can be found at www.waupunK12.wi.us.

“We have been tremendously blessed here at Bargains. We are excited that we can give back to our community and contribute to the important work of the Waupun Educational Foundation” remarked Melissa Wierenga, store manager. Bargains Galore is a non-profit resale store raising funds for Central Wisconsin Christian School, while working towards making a positive difference in the community. The store is located at 810 W. Main Street, Waupun. Store and Donation Center hours: Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. www.BargainsGaloreThriftStore.com.

Bargains Galore Supports the After School Kids (ASK) Program!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store recently supported The After School Kids (ASK) program of the Waupun School District by donating $300 to its’ program. The ASK program provides academic and homework help for students in grades K-6. The program meets Monday –Thursday until 4:30 at Meadow View Primary and Rock River Intermediate schools. ASK is grateful to Bargains Galore for their monetary donation which will help sustain the program and its students’ needs. The staff would also like to thank members of Christian Reformed Church, Kiwanis, and high school students who currently give their time to the program.

In spite of the generous assistance that ASK receives, nearly eighty students remain on the waiting list. If you or your organization would like to learn how you can also help the ASK program, please contact Faye Austin at 324-9322 or Amber McLinn at 324-3361.

“We are so thankful that we can help the school in this way. We’re happy that we can support the kids and make a positive difference in their lives” remarked Melissa Wierenga. Bargains Galore is a non-profit resale store raising funds for Central Wisconsin Christian School, while working towards making a positive difference in the community.

The store is located at 810 W. Main St., Waupun. Store and Donation Center hour are: Thursday 10 – 8; and Friday – Saturday 10 – 2. Visit our website at www.BargainsGaloreThriftStore.com

6th Annual Community Day - Bargains Galore Gives Back to Waupun Baseball Complex!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store, Waupun, recently donated $1500 to the new Waupun Baseball Complex! The Baseball Complex is this year’s recipient of the store’s 6^th Annual Community Benefit.

This new baseball complex includes four youth baseball fields and one JV field. The complex is located north of E. Lincoln Street, across from the Waupun Area Jr./Sr. High School. In addition to the fields, there is a concession stand, restrooms, picnic table area, storage shed, batting cages, pitching machines, score boards, lighting, children’s play area and a parking lot.

There are approximately 375 kids signed up for Little League ranging in age from 4 to 14. In 2012, Waupun Little League will celebrate 50 years of youth baseball. The Complex Dedication and Opening Day Celebration is slated for May 12 at 12:15.

Bargains Galore is thrilled to contribute to this worthwhile project! “We continue to be supported by this community through the many generous donators and shoppers. Our store is dedicated to giving back to our community and this is another way we can share the blessings. We are excited about this new complex and its benefits to all the kids in our community, both now and in the future.” said Melissa Wierenga, Store Manager.

Giving Back to Our Community!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store, located at 810 W. Main Street in Waupun, recently donated $500 worth of new clothing to benefit patients and families served by the Emergency Departments at St. Agnes Hospital and Waupun Memorial Hospital (WMH), as well as individuals through Agnesian HealthCare’s Domestic Violence Program.

Accepting these gifts are (left to right): Nikki Jorgensen, RN, WMH Emergency Department; Michelle Schulz, RN, WMH Emergency Department; Brenda Hofman, Bargains Galore manager; Melissa Wierenga, Bargains Galore manager; and Rene Firari Will, Agnesian HealthCare Domestic Violence Program coordinator.

For more than a year, Bargains Galore Thrift Store has been donating clothes to the two Emergency Departments and Domestic Violence Program. They help support Agnesian HealthCare in its mission to care for the poor and vulnerable.

5th Annual Community Benefit - Bargains Galore Gives Back to WARP!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store, Waupun, recently donated $1000 to WARP (Waupun Area Recreation Project). WARP is a non-profit organization founded by Waupun area businesses, individuals and the Waupun Chamber of Commerce.

The overall goal is to improve the community by building a Community Building at the Fond du Lac County Park. The second goal is to build an aquatic center in the County Park. The third goal is to link the existing bike trail to the Wild Goose State Trail.

WARP is this year’s recipient of Bargains Galore’s 5^th Annual Community Benefit. The store is thrilled to be able to give back in this way. “We continue to be supported by this community through the many generous donators and shoppers. Our store is dedicated to giving back to our community and this is another way we can share the blessings. We are excited about this new project and its benefits to our community. These wonderful enhancements will certainly make a positive difference in our community,” said Melissa Wierenga, Store Manager.

4th Annual Community Benefit Day at Bargains Galore - Raising Funds for the Union Youth Center!

Bargains Galore Thrift Store recently held its' 4^th Annual Community Day to benefit The Union Youth Center. This rewarding event is held yearly in support of our community. It is another way we can give back and is a great way to say "thank you" to all those who donate to and shop at Bargains Galore throughout the year.

The Union Youth Center was chosen as this year's beneficiary of the Community Day. The money will be used to help off-set their substantial monthly utility expenses. We are thrilled to have been able to give $1,700 to the Union!

The Union Youth Center opens its’ doors each weekend to Waupun area youth. It provides kids with a safe place to be, as well as a chance to play basketball, pool or video games, watch a movie, or just hang out with friends.

More importantly, students have a chance to build relationships with caring Christian adults who seek to share the gospel with them, many of them for the first time. The Union has truly become a mission outreach right here in our own town, serving up to 500 kids each and every month!

Scott Ritzema, Waupun Ministry Director of The Union Youth Center and students were also on-hand to share information, volunteering opportunities and testimonies about the many lives The Union has touched.

“We continue to be supported by this community through the many generous donators and shoppers. Our store is dedicated to giving back to our community and this is another way we can share the blessings. The Union is certainly a worthwhile cause that cares for Waupun youth and needs our ongoing community support,” said Melissa Wierenga, Store Manager.

Bargains Galore was also the official "Cookie Dough Collection Site" for the day. 33 containers of cookie dough was generously donated and collected for the kids at The Union. Awesome!

Another day of blessings at Bargains Galore! Many thanks to all who participated!

3^rd Annual Community Day at Bargains Galore – A Huge Success!

Bargains Galore held its’ 3^rd Annual Community Day on Saturday, Feb. 9. This rewarding and fun event is held yearly in support of our community. It is another way we can give back and is a great way to say "thank you" to all those who donate to and shop at Bargains Galore throughout the year.

The Waupun Memorial Hospital was chosen as this year’s beneficiary of the Community Day. The money will be used to purchase cardiac rehabilitation equipment for heart patients, - what a fantastic cause that many of us can relate to. We had a wonderful day with $1,820 in sales!

DeAnn Thurmer, Chief Operating Officer, Diana Gedamke and Dawn Strahota, hospital nursing staff, were on hand at the store administering free blood pressure screenings to our customers. They also gave out valuable health information and answered any health related questions our shoppers had.

DeAnn commented many times how appreciative the hospital is, what a great idea the Community Day is, and how much fun they had. The customers were also very supportive of this event and certainly recognize our commitment to the community.

Overall, we had a fantastic and true Community Day with many, many positive comments and great sales! We were certainly blessed this day! What a great example of how Bargains Galore continues to work towards fulfilling its’ Mission of making a positive difference in God’s kingdom!