Thrift Shop offers great value to Fairchild

Jane Drake, customer, looks at jewelry during her lunch break March 29, 2011 at the Thrift Shop here. The Thrift Shop is a non-profit organization whose proceeds benefit base charities, local charities and scholarship funds for dependents and spouses. The shop is open Tues. 12 – 6p.m., and Wed. and Thurs. 9a.m. – 2 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Natasha E. Stannard)

Thrift store offers great value to base

Carlee Lane shows Gary Templeton, customer, a piece of jewelry March 29, 2011 at the Thrift Shop here. Mrs. Lane is a volunteer with the Thrift Shop and Mr. Templeton is a customer of six years. He also consigns items here. Consignment contracts are available for 25 cents and 30 percent of the profit from sold consignment items are donated to charities and scholarship funds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Natasha E. Stannard)

Fairchild thrift store moves locations, contributes to charities and scholarships

Published April 6, 2011
By Senior Airman Natasha E. Stannard
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Fairchild community can support charities just by shopping at the base's Thrift Shop. Their grand re-opening is May 3 at 11:30 a.m. at its new location next to Outdoor Recreation.

Because this is a non-profit organization, the Thrift Shop offers Fairchild families an array of high quality items at low costs.

"They're very affordable and have great quality choices," said Petty Officer 1st Class Anna Espiritumoncrief, customer as she looks through household appliances.

The thrift shop offers not only great bargains to customers, but the opportunity to make a profit by selling items with them as well. Volunteers from the Officer's Spouses Club run the Thrift Shop and donate profits to charity and scholarships.

"Every dollar we make can go to charity and we can keep our prices low because the base supplies us with a facility," said Kristy Hamby, Thrift Shop board chairman. "We just donated to Spokane Heroes and the First Sergeants Organization."

Along with being charitable, the shop provides Airman a means to shop for affordable items.

"I've been shopping here for a couples of years and always find great bargains and I'm sure the funds they're making are going to a worthy causes.," said Roger Aunne, customer.

The shop also provides consignment contracts with a valid ID card for 25 cents. Up to twenty items may be consigned a day and only 10 can be clothing. If the cosigned items are sold, 30 percent of the profit is contributed to charities the shop supports and the rest goes back to the consigner.

"My wife cosigns here," said Gary Templeton, customer of six years. "They're a great deal and better than having a garage sale because a lot of traffic comes here so it sells. Plus, the money they make goes to charities and provides education for scholarships."

Donations are also accepted and contribute directly to those in local community.

This non-profit is open the Fairchild community on Tuesday 12 - 6p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday 9a.m. - 2 p.m.

For more information, call 247-5913 and for updates visit the thrift shop's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thrift-Shop-at-Fairchild-AFB.