To the editor:

As a member of the South Whidbey community, I have benefitted from Good Cheer in many ways. Good Cheer was the place to shop and donate everything from clothes and furniture to household goods.

When I became a mom, it was great to find clothes that would fit for a fast growing girl. When I was laid off from my job, the Food Bank helped me make ends meet while I figured out what was next. Every time I visited Good Cheer, it lived up to its name.

People come to Good Cheer for many different reasons. It is often an unexpected loss that creates the need. If someone loses their belongings in a fire, Good Cheer Thrift Stores will be there. Good Cheer Food Bank will help feed the elderly so they can afford their medications. The scenarios are as varied as the people who live them.

The thrift store was started almost 50 years ago to fund the support that is needed for many on South Whidbey. We know it takes more than just selling to make Good Cheer successful. It takes the support of so many people on South Whidbey and beyond. It takes all of you who donated food and goods over the past few decades. It takes all of you who donated money and in-kind services. It takes all of our wonderful thrift store customers.

As the new community outreach coordinator, I have a new appreciation for what it takes to be of Good Cheer. The staff and volunteers are like the old saying about the duck. The duck looks calm on the surface while it is paddling like mad underneath the water. The 14 staff and more than 475 active volunteers make the whole organization run smoothly.

To keep up with the growing needs of our community during these long, hard times, we know we need to adjust and grow with the needs to stay successful. We have expanded the Langley store and continue to look at other opportunities to serve the community’s shoppers. We are developing several new programs to respond better to donors and recipients.

We have heard from our community that you want us to be more responsive to accepting donations. We have added a driver to our staff to help with picking up furniture and goods from your home. We will be starting a door-hanger program where we will pick up in your neighborhood. We are really in need of furniture and working appliances. Are you getting new appliances or a new bed? We will take the old ones. Call us at 221-6494 to schedule a pick up.

We want to make the community a better place by keeping usable items out of the landfills and into the hands of the next owners. You help feed and clothe those most in need while saving the planet from overflowing landfills. Good Cheer does not turn away anyone in need. We really want everyone to win.

Thank you for donating and shopping. Even the smallest gesture has a profound effect on the rest of your community.

SHAWN NOWLIN

Community Outreach Coordinator

Good Cheer