ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Thanks to their customers and volunteers, the Andrews Officers' Spouses' Club is working extra hard this year. Kristen Henley, AOSC Thrift Shop manager, said the shop is tens of thousands of dollars ahead of where it was at the same time last year and is working on its best year yet.
"We are having an incredible year," said Mrs. Henley. "Whether it's because of the economy or other reasons, people are looking for alternative places to spend their money -- and I think it's great they are choosing our Thrift Shop!"
Beth Owens, AOSC president, agrees. "We are a non-profit organization so when our Thrift Shop does well in sales, that means we can give back even more to the community -- both on and off base. The AOSC Thrift Shop has really great items for sale and all the proceeds go back into our community. All organizations on base -- and even those off base that help to support our military families -- have the opportunity to request monetary donations from the club."
The Thrift Shop also helps provide scholarships for dependants in the military community, awarding over $16,000 in scholarships last year alone.
Cindy Spencer, AOSC Thrift Shop Co-Chair and Thrift Shop volunteer for 17 years, said the AOSC Thrift Shop is not only a place to spend money and consign items, but a place to make new friends as a volunteer. "The Thrift Shop has around 40 volunteers who regularly log 600 hours per month. We offer our volunteers, as well as our customers, a sense of community. Many of our volunteers have been at the shop for three or four decades."
"The Thrift Shop serves two purposes to our base community," said Mrs. Owens. "The first is that it provides opportunities for military families to shop for slightly used items at a discount. Second, the Thrift Shop allows families to consign items and then they can use that money to purchase other things that they may need for their family."
The Thrift Shop has really great treasures. "You can find everything from brand new items -- some with tags still on them -- to beautiful etched crystal that you might find in an antique shop. Everyday we receive new things, so the inventory is constantly changing. It's definitely worth your time to pop in on a weekly basis to see what's new," said Mrs. Owens.
"We're one of the best kept secrets on base and I think our customers recognize that, as well," said Mrs. Spencer. The Thrift Shop is gearing up for the holidays, including a visit from Santa on Dec. 6.
The Thrift Shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first and third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 1676 Brookley Ave., behind the Airmen's Attic. Organizations wishing to request a monetary donation from the AOSC can find the request form at www.andrewsosc.com. For information, call 301-735-3533.