At first glance, the Presbyterian Resale Shop, located at 7 E Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso seems to be your typical thrift shop - until you meet their volunteers. For more than 77 years, volunteers have accepted donations of merchandise, worked the counters, set up displays, and helped customers find unique, one-of-a-kind items, all with a mission - to support not-for-profit organizations in the community.
From clothing to housewares, jewelry to Christmas items, the shop has a little bit of everything. According to Shop Moderator Carolyn Dye, "Sometimes we'll get an item in and we just don't know even what it is; a customer usually helps us figure it out."
Bob Franko, VNA of Northwest Indiana President and CEO recently visited the shop to accept a check in the amount of $7,100, representing the Presbyterian Resale Shop's support of VNA of NWI programs over the last year. "These volunteers are amazing. They recognize the need in the community and work year-round to help meet those needs. This check goes a long way in helping the VNA or NWI to continue to provide hospice care regardless of a family's financial situation and also supports the VNA Phoenix Center, our grief support program for kids."
The Resale Shop is always looking for new volunteers to join their ranks. The opportunity to work in the shop is nondenominational - welcoming any faith to help serve the community. The shop also gladly accepts donations of items during their business hours, Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Clothing and linens seem to be the most popular items sold in the shop.
The shop is overseen by a board of volunteers. Board members are Moderator, Carolyn Dye; Vice Moderator, Pam Skaltsas; Historian, Mary Jayne Shurr; Secretary, Cindy Robinson' Treasurer, Jan Bays; and, Schedulers, Kay Exley and Mary Linda Scott. In addition to supporting the VNA of NWI, the shop also supports organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Caring Place, Family House, Housing Opportunities, Moraine House, the Red Cross, and Salvation Army, just to name a few!
