Habitat ReStore Adds Hours to Celebrate Success

Frank Walters, manager of the Lexington Habitat for Humanity ReStore, said the recent store’s success is because of the support they have received from the community.  He said they are having so much success they are in need of volunteers.

“We are in a growth spurt and we are excited about that,” Walters said.  “The ReStore has been doing very well and we are very pleased where we have come from and where we are now.  I would say that  99 percent of that success is because the community has been supporting us.  We really appreciate it.  We just need more volunteers to help us out.”

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and used gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.  Proceeds from the store are use to financially support the local Habitat for Humanity chapters in their efforts to build affordable homes for those in need.

“When we first started we were hoping to make enough money just to stay alive and cover expenses,” Walters said.  “Fortunately because of the community we are surviving and growing.  I am always amazed at the end of the month how many people have come through the door or how many donations have come in.  It gets bigger every month.  It is exciting.

Marjorie Parker, Executive Director of Lexington Area Habitat for Humanity, said it is great to see the store being so successful.   “The success is because we are getting great donations from the community and because Frank is doing a wonderful job leading the team,” Parker said.  “he creates a great atmosphere here.  We feel so lucky to be in this great location.  When we were picking this location, we picked it because it is close to uptown.  Walters said that the has always felt that it is important to become a member of the community. Franks said the addition of extra hours, the participation in community events and the appreciation people have for the work Habitat for Humanity does, has created a trifecta of success.  “We are very fortunate that the community of donors, shoppers and volunteers have really stepped it up for our organization,” Walters said.  “They like to shop here for lots of reasons, but one of the reasons is that we give back to our community…These extra hours will allow us to help our customers more.  It will allow us to receive donations on a day we normally wouldn’t be here.  It also gives us the opportunity to be more present and to give back to the community.  The more we bring in and sell that is one more house we can build for someone.”

The Dispatch

Lexington, NC