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Thirty Years Of Sales And Philanthropy For Your Turn Resale Shoppe

photo by provided Sandy Brisson, Marion Sullivan, and Marilyn Evans are delighted to celebrate 30 years of Your Turn Resale Shoppe and can't wait to see where the next decades lead.

photo by provided Starting small with an idea and determination, the planning committee that created Your Turn has seen it grow to celebrate thirty years and almost one million dollars raised.

Tuesday August 15, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

It was 1987 when friends Sandy Brisson, Marilyn Evans, Marion Sullivan and Beth Elzinga came up with a plan to help fundraise for the families attending the Champlain Valley Christian School (CVCS). Members of the Ladies School Circle, which is a volunteer group charged with helping to raise funds to cover costs and lower tuition rates for CVCS families, the group got the idea from Kathy Caswell who had worked at Round Robin and later went on to found Neat Repeats. “She suggested we open a thrift store in Vergennes,” shared Marion Sullivan. “So we got together an organizing committee and the plan was sent into motion.”
    All the women had to chuckle at the memory of one well-meaning member who suggested that they only take out a one month lease for the project because they were sure it would fold quite soon after. Now their thirty year anniversary has just passed and the founders and devoted volunteers certainly have something to celebrate. Besides the longevity, the group will this year go over the one million dollar mark in donations to the Champlain Valley Christian School. “That’s a lot of happy people,” grinned Marion Sullivan. “A lot of bargains,” added Sandy Brisson. “A lot of volunteers too,” interjected Marilyn Evans.
    Like any organization with staying power there is a balance in need, passion dedication and involvement that must be sustained. Your Turn Resale Shoppe is fortunate that two and three generations of families and volunteers have believed in this concept and local people keep coming back. The day of this interview was the official end of summer and arrival of fall with the last day of the famous bag sales. It was $5.00 for a bag full of clothing. Displayed by type, age and size, Your Turn Resale Shoppe has the clothing and products well displayed and priced to fit the budgets and needs of families and individuals.
    Three times the size of the original space that opened in 1987, the group of founders feels as passionate about their purpose as they did thirty years ago. “We really believe in not only helping the families obtain a Christian education, but to offer the community we live in good bargains to come in and stretch their budget. While women's and men's clothing are the number one selling items, Your Turn also stocks children's clothing, household items, and some sporting equipment."
    Beginning August 14, in addition to taking unlimited donations, Your Turn will again begin taking consignment items for the first time in many years. . “It really is a nice thing to help people out,” explained Marilyn Evans. “Here is a check for young girl that is in college that brought some items in for consignment. She made money and we made money.” As part as an example to how philanthropic ideas can become a reality, Marion Sullivan summed it up best. “If we can do it in the smallest city, we can or you can do it anywhere.”
    The Valley Voice salutes Beth Elzinga, Sandy Brisson, Marilyn Evans and Marion Sullivan for their determination, dedication and the over one hundred volunteers who keep it moving and staffed. Your Turn Resale Shoppe is a fun place to shop, stretch a budget and see how a group of caring and dedicated people can and do make a difference.

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