Changes are afoot at the Newberg Thrift Shop.
A function of the Newberg Charitable Organization, the thrift store first opened its doors more than 70 years ago and has since then funneled its proceeds toward worthy nonprofit organizations and projects in the community. In fact, the NCO has dispensed $65,000 in grants through the first six months of 2024.
“As need rises in our community, so do the NCO’s efforts to aid those helping others,” the organization said in a release. “That is why only a little more than half-way through 2024, NCO has already surpassed the total amount given in 2023.”
Those grants over the years have often been concentrated on medical practices: the NCO purchased the first x-ray machine in Newberg in the 1950s and just this year purchased automated external defibrillators and portable medical bags for every police vehicle in the city.
Volunteers are the engine that powers the thrift shop, and May saw the retirement of two key figures in the organization and the naming of two new volunteers who will lead the ship.
“I'm so proud to be one of the new co-managers of the Newberg Thrift Shop and also for being elected vice-president by our board of directors,” Ronda Wright said. “Our purpose is to support, promote and advance the welfare of the Newberg community and I hope to continue on with that tradition as successfully as it has been for the past 70 years.”
Fellow co-manager Francisca Batchler, a volunteer for the past four years, echoed Wright’s sentiment: “I’m new to Newberg Thrift Shop management. My goal is to make a positive impact by developing a community relationship that enables those in need with support from our organization.”
Batchler said the loss of a loved one several years ago prompted her to concentrate her efforts on helping others through volunteering.
“I decided to learn from my heartbroken loss and focus on service to others,” she said. “I felt the best action for me was to become a volunteer with an organization that was making an impressive impact on the community I live in. That’s NCO. The Newberg Thrift Shop gives me the opportunity to give back and contribute to something bigger than myself."
As is custom, the advent of new management will be accompanied by some changes in operations at the thrift store, all with an eye on meeting the needs of the community better, organizers said. Those changes include updates to the facility, including fixtures donated by Providence Newberg Medical Center.
“The cashiers are currently being trained on a new cash register that will allow credit card payments,” the release said. “The back donation room is being streamlined to process the communities’ generous donations so we can move more from the donation doors to the shop shelves.”
Worker shortages that have struck businesses throughout the land have been no less hard on the thrift store, which had to close on a recent Saturday for lack of volunteers. As a result, the thrift shop continues to seek volunteers.
“No one wants to work for nothing, but giving four to six volunteer hours a week at the thrift shop helps keep the doors open and fund the monthly pledges to places like FISH and YoungLife and the Newberg Grange,” the release said. “As a volunteer, you play a vital role in keeping the doors open and deciding where the grants get distributed.”
Other organizations that have benefitted from the thrift shop’s largess include Chehalem Cultural Center, Newberg-Dundee Public Schools, college scholarships, the Japanese garden at Chehalem Valley Middle School and playground renovations at Antonia Crater and Edwards elementary schools.
For more information on the NCO or the thrift store, including on how to volunteer, call 503-564-8560 or email thenewbergthriftshop@gmail.com.
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