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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Buying ‘gently-used’ items assists local families in need
BY MARTHA NODAR
PHOTOS BY MARTHA NODAR
Shopper Elizabeth Valera, left, looks through clothes with Lynn
Farrell, a store volunteer and member of the Assistance League
of Atlanta, at Attic Treasures Thrift Shop in Chamblee. The
league helps approximately 40,000 local families every year.
Dunwoody resident Celia Gard
ner said word-of-mouth prompted her
to check out the Attic Treasures Thrift
Shop. She liked what she found there.
“I first came to shop after I heard
about it,” she said. “Then, I started do
nating.”
Soon, she became
a member of the As
sistance League of At
lanta, a philanthrop
ic organization that
staffs the thrift shop
nestled in Chamblee’s
Antique Row.
The Atlanta chapter of the Assistance
League, a national charitable organiza
tion, claims more than 200 members.
About half live in Dunwoody. Others
live in Sandy Springs or nearby commu
nities.
Founded more than 30 years ago by
34 Atlantans, the Atlanta chapter broke
ground 15 years ago when members
built their two-story building in its cur
rent location. The building contains the
thrift shop, a warehouse, office space,
storage areas and a donation center.
“When we hear the doorbell ring in
the donation center we know an angel
has arrived,” member and Dunwoody
resident Lynn Farrell said.
The thrift shop has gently-used cloth
ing, shoes and gifts for the home. All
revenue generated from the shop goes
directly to those in need, member Ma
rie Drake said.
Members volunteer to work at their
local chapter and contribute between
$70 and $95 in annual membership fees.
There are no paid em
ployees and nothing
goes to waste. Mem
bers call themselves
“worker bees.”
Drake, who also
lives in Dunwoody,
said donations from
the general public and corporations are
always needed. “There are many peo
ple in need, which is the reason we are
here,” she added.
Drake emphasized the chapter could
not function without the additional as
sistance of non-member community
volunteers who may lend a hand in sort
ing donated items in the warehouse or
making deliveries and picking up donat
ed furniture alongside some of the mem
bers’ husbands.
Drake said that through their multi
ple philanthropic programs, they help
approximately 40,000 people in need
within the community every year. This
figure includes 6,000 to 8,000 elemen
tary public school children who are the
beneficiaries of “Operation School Bell,”
a program that provides children with
new clothing every year.
Sherry Waugh, a member from San
dy Springs, said that through another
program they bring approximately 20-
24 women a year to their thrift shop
from Mary Hall Freedom House and
outfit them “with appropriate clothes
for job interviews.”
“This program is near and dear to my
heart,” she said.
Gardner, who works in the shop on
Saturdays, said her favorite part of the
job is the people she works with and the
customers she meets.
Frequent shoppers include Shirley
Eidson and Elizabeth Valera.
“Many of my favorite things come
from this thrift shop,” Eidson said.
“It’s fun to find things here,” said
Valera, a full-time employee and grad
uate student. “My mom and her friends
come here too.”
League members
Marilyn Steele,
left, and
Lynn Farrell,
prepare bags
of new clothing
for children.
Steele is the
liaison between
“Operation School
Bell,” and Fulton
and DeKalb Public
Schools’ social
workers, who
identify youngsters
in need.
What: Attic Treasures Thrift Shop
Where: 3534 Broad Street
Chamblee, Ga. 30341
Hours: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Merchandise donations accepted:
Mon-Sat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Website:
www.assistanceleagueatl.org.
Do you know an organization or
individual making a difference
in our community? Email
editor@reporternewspapers. net
14 | APRIL5 —APRIL 18, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net
