ABUNDANCE Generosity in

Vail Valley Cares — The Thrifty Store

By Sandy Ferguson Fuller | Illustrations by Becca Saulsberry

GGood stories come from good stuff. Here’s one …

Exploring the Vail Valley, it is reassuring to discover so many individuals and private or public organizations giving back to the local community. Generosity in abundance! One outstanding example is Vail Valley Cares (VVC), popularly known as The Thrifty Store. In 2024, VVC celebrates its 30th anniversary. Two store locations in Edwards and Eagle now welcome retail shoppers and a huge daily volume of inventory donations. Both stores have become “destinations” for budget or bargain hunters, eclectic item collectors, lifestyle downsizers or responsible recyclers and just about anyone looking for a fun and unique browsing and buying experience.

If you visit Thrifty looking for a specific item, chances are you’ll find it … but a better chance that you will purchase several unexpected treasures! Looking for a pair of vintage leather or snow boots? If you’re lucky, you’ll find some your size. Maybe the right-size cooking dish, too. Need a different suitcase to fit under the seat for a single trip? Affordable framed artwork for the office? Some classic DVDs or vinyl? An array of bikes, skis, camping gear? Furniture? Fun jewelry? Clothes for kids growing up too quick? Extra jeans or a jacket or an even softer sweater? A candle for a romantic evening?

Good stuff.

The Thrifty Store opened in 1994 in its current Edwards location under the direction of Jerry Milsaps, the blind pastor of Lake Creek Baptist Church, and his friend Pastor Benny Clark. Both gentlemen shared the heart and spirit to help others and began the enterprise without additional employees. The Vail Rotary Club offered a generous grant to guarantee the first year of operation, and the store repaid its initial support money within three months. During the early days, the Thrifty Store cooperated closely with the local Salvation Army. Gradually, it evolved to assume its own identity as the Vail Valley Cares/Thrifty Store.

Benny and Jerry (not to be mistaken for the famous ice cream entrepreneurs!) shared a vision — to give back to their community and to enable others to help others, to create generosity in abundance.

Greg Osteen joined VVC in 1998 as executive director and still leads the way. For a decade, he has partnered with general manager Ryan Leingang, and they devote work together to sustain and grow this vital and successful community enterprise. Currently, VVC has about 27 regular staff members and countless volunteers, also open to community service applicants. Young Life Camp attendees often work at Thrifty to earn their way to a rewarding summer experience.

The staff is as unique and welcoming as the merchandise, venturing to the Colorado mountains from points around the globe. At least three have stood atop Everest, including Sherpa Lhakpa. Several career employees have served VVC for over 20 years and deserve a nod. Gloria, in Edwards, first arrived at age 16, and now, she is a proud high schooler mom; brothers Saul and Luis are longtime, familiar, friendly faces; Sally, in Eagle, has worked for over two decades; and local veteran “Vailies” have contributed, including Phil Carter, who retired a few years ago.

Customer service is superb at VVC/ Thrifty, frequently recognized with local awards. Of course, VVC always welcomes more help — currently looking to hire more drivers for their busy pickup and delivery trucks. Their first small red truck with wood paneling has been replaced by three large, white vehicles, frequently spotted around the Valley servicing residences and businesses.

VVC recycles everything with TLC. Just about anything gets consideration, except most TVs or computers, because effectively recycling these items is tricky. In the early days, Osteen remembers that VVC sold and received back one couch five different times over several years. The asking price remained at $10 for each sale. Bottom line? $50 earned back and a worthy couch put to good use time and again!

In 2000, Vail Valley Cares began distributing annual grants and scholarships earned from store donations to Eagle County nonprofit organizations and individuals at their annual breakfast. In 2023, VVC will announce $525,000 in 65 grants and $25,000 in scholarships to Colorado Mountain College. Closing 2023, the total amount of grants and scholarships funded since inception will be just under $6 million.

VVC promotes abundant ethics as a community business leader. Their stated mission includes: “Treating everyone with dignity and respect. Provide the best possible service to our donors and customers. Ensure quality in everything we do. Preserve and improve our environment, however possible.”

Donations arrive in every shape and size, and VVC tries hard not to discard. However, they must set limits. About 20% of the goods received “work” to sell in the two Vail Valley store locations. If an item isn’t practical or suitable there, it is often donated to the New Horizon Ministries Mission in Colorado Springs and Canyon City. This organization raises revenue to unite children with parents serving time in jail. VVC may offer gift cards to the Salvation Army and other nonsecular charities. Ultimately, VVC recycles about 68% of the donations received. About 30% ends up in the landfill, but VVC continually works toward reducing those numbers and minimizing waste. They cooperate in local recycling efforts with Waste Management (for all glass) and Trinity Recycling (for all metal).

Additional Thrifty perks? Bargains and surprises galore! You might visit one day and discover a table of baked or canned goods. Rather than toss, City Market donates food before expiration dates, and VVC distributes it at no cost to hungry or lucky patrons! If you’re a senior, you qualify for a store discount. And if you’re a local, Wednesdays are regular discount days. Plus, pay attention to the price tag colors — any given day may offer up an even better deal!

The most important perk? The signature purpose and spirit of VVC is best reflected by how they give back to our community.

In 2000, Vail Valley Cares began dis- tributing annual grants and scholarships earned from store donations to Eagle County nonprofit organizations and individuals at their annual breakfast. In 2023, this event will be held for the first time at 4-Eagle Ranch, because popular attendance has outgrown previous venues. VVC will announce $525,000 in 65 grants and $25,000 in scholarships to Colorado Mountain College. Closing 2023, the total amount of grants and scholarships funded since inception will be just under $6 million. Generosity in abundance!

For many years, I’ve been a Thrifty Store regular. I love to “shop until I drop” at VVC, never knowing exactly what treasures I will find — almost a joke among my friends and family! I also find it rewarding to share quality items that I no longer need or use or have space to keep. I was especially thrilled when one favorite teddy bear found a loving new home with a young customer. I’m so inspired by VVC’s active role in our community that I wrote a picture book for all ages entitled The Nifty Thrifty to celebrate this special enterprise. To quote my book, “Just because a thing is used, doesn’t mean it’s done!” Thrifty Store fans love it, so I hope you will too.

Caring and sharing in abundance … that’s what VVC/The Thrifty Store is all about. Check it out; there’s so much for everyone in store! +