Happy New Year to you! As a staff we hope you had a good holiday, and are having a happy start to your new year … winter has certainly hit, and this year seems to be lingering without the crazy swings we have had over the last few years! The snow has actually stayed on the ground now for several weeks, which is a real change from what it has been. I want to pass along a huge thank you to everyone involved in the Christmas sales—this was the best year ever for Christmas sales, and we showed real growth over last year, both in number of items sold and in total sales. From receiving, to sorting and pricing, to the volunteers who help with the changeover and those who put items on the floor during the Christmas season, your efforts are deeply appreciated!
MCC is now resuming furniture pickup services in the Waterloo Region. Please note that these pickups
are not managed directly through the shop. If you’re interested, you can contact MCC Picks Up, which offers furniture pickup services for a fee.
To arrange a pickup, you can:
• Call: 226-220-0088
• Email: mccpicksup@mcco.ca
• Visit: mccpicksup.com
Please feel free to pass this information around to anyone you know who may be looking to donate furniture. Furniture pickup will be in addition to the traditional pickups of clothing, housewares, etc.
Thank you to each of you for your time over the last calendar year. It has been an amazing time, both in terms of time spent together and store results. Everything that you do is deeply appreciated!
Mark Patfield
BIRTHDAYS
Marjorie B.
Larry B.
Dolores G.
Patricia P.
Carol G.
Peter V.
Karen W.
Merri K.
Openings
• Retail Floor Support: Volunteers needed to assist with tidying up the store Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Clothing Sorters: Do you enjoy fashion? Have an eye for labels and trends? We are looking for volunteers to do clothing sorting on Thursday and Friday mornings and afternoons.
• Receivers: Greet our valued donors at the back door to accept goods. Good customer service required. Shifts available Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Volunteer Information Update
As we continue updating the volunteer information in our database, we have noticed that some of our volunteers are missing important documents, such as Volunteer Agreements and AODA training certificates. Please keep an eye on your email, as I will be sending an email to those missing the necessary information. Thank you for your patience as we work to bring all our volunteers’ information up to date.
Thank you for your understanding,
Emma Norris
Volunteer Coordinator
Safety Corner
Stay Safe Online: Tips to Avoid Internet Scams
Verify everyone online:
Don’t trust what anyone claims to be online.
Be suspicious of unexpected contact: Be cautious of sudden or unexpected messages.
Beware of emotional or urgent messaging: Scammers may use pressure tactics. Inform your family and friends.
Identify imposters:
Be wary of people claiming to be government officials or company representatives. Do online research:
Verify information before making decisions.
Never divulge personal information: Protect your privacy.
Don’t trust your caller ID: Scammers may manipulate caller IDs.
We
Judy Chapman
Donald Eenkooren
Dan O’Hagan
Edgar Moreno
Beware of attachments in email: Be cautious when downloading files.
Don’t make upfront payments: Avoid paying immediately.
Be wary of fictitious stories: Scammers may use compelling narratives. Know how scammers tell you to pay: Be aware of payment methods and avoid cryptocurrency, gift card or wire transfers.
Consult someone you trust: Seek advice from a reliable source.
DO NOT EVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO ANYONE WHO CONTACTS YOU ONLINE OR VIA TEXT MESSAGE—no level of government or police ever takes gift cards as payment!
(Read more about this policy in section 3 of the MCC Volunteer Orientation Manual. If you are not sure where to find the manual, please talk to your Volunteer Manager or General Manager)
If you get hurt, experience difficulties, or see something out of sorts while volunteering with us, we want to know about it immediately. Here are the steps to follow:
• Tell a supervisor or other MCC staff immediately.
• Help them fill out an incident report.
• Offer any helpful suggestions for creating a healthier and safer environment.
Volunteers must report the following to a supervisor/
MCC staff immediately:
• All injuries, incidents, and unusual conditions.
• Any missing or defective equipment or protective device.
• Any observed hazards.
• Any risks or potential risks of violence or harassment encountered in the workplace.
Thank you for helping us as we continue to provide safe and positive volunteer experiences for all!
MCC Speaks Up Service
If you think someone part of MCC abused their power or did something wrong, you are encouraged to report your concern. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Talk to someone:
A. The supervisor responsible for volunteers at your shop or program
B. Holly McClement, Volunteer Services Manager, hollymcclement@mcco.ca, 519-745-8458 x 366
C. Kim Knight, Human Resources Manager, kimknight@mcco.ca, 226-242-9737
D. Wendy Adema, Director of People and Programs, wendyadema@mcco.ca, 519-745-8458 x 244
2. Use the Speak Up Service:
This is a way to report problems or concerns. A company called NAVEX (EthicsPoint) helps with this. You can fill out a form online or call them on the phone. You can use your computer or a smartphone, and
they’ll talk to you in the language you like.
You might want to use the Speak Up Service if:
• You don’t want anyone to know who you are (you can choose to stay secret or give your name).
• You want to report directly into the system MCC uses.
• You can’t or don’t want to talk to a person.
• You feel scared to tell a person.
Ways to use the Speak Up Service:
Online: mcc.ethicspoint.com | Mobile: mcc.navexone. com | Call Toll-free: 844-974-5078
There will be posters around the MCC offices, shops, and programs for more information on how to use this service. If you are not sure where to find one, please contact Holly McClement, hollymcclement@mcco.ca 519-745-8458 x 366
Hope Starts at Home
Join us for “Hope Starts at Home: Discover Our Local Programs,” an immersive experience where you’ll witness firsthand how our programs are making a difference here at home and around the world. Over the course of two and a half hours, you’ll explore various interactive vignettes and hands-on activities that highlight the transformative stories of those we serve.
Visit mcc.org/experience-mcc to register.
Around the Shop!
Emma’s got a talent for capturing our amazing volunteers in action! From sorting to organizing and everything in between, every moment tells a story. Thank you to our volunteers for bringing energy and heart to the shop!
YEAR 2024 ONTARIO
THRIFT SHOPS
2,820,965 items, including clothing, furniture and household goods, were thoughtfully reused, helping both people and the planet through MCC Ontario Thrift Shops.
VOLUNTEERS
1,801 volunteers embodied compassion and hope for countless lives.
INTERNATIONAL
GLANCE
GLANCE
INDIGENOUS NEIGHBOURS
305 initiatives strengthened local food sovereignty in northern Indigenous communities.
MEAT CANNERY
Construction started on Ontario’s first stationary meat cannery, which will provide essential nutrients to those in need worldwide.
THE RAW CARROT
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise provided over 1,400 hours of employment that matters.
MATERIAL RESOURCES
116,125 people received hygiene items, including menstrual health supplies*
EMERGENCY RELIEF
Relief aid shipments reached communities in Malawi, Ukraine, Burundi, Cuba, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Palestine, Zambia and the USA, providing critical support to those in need.
299,458 people received emergency food assistance*
BRINGING HOPE
194 newcomers were welcomed to Ontario, beginning new lives of hope and opportunity.
ADVOCACY
15 advocacy initiatives aimed to create meaningful change and improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
DEVELOPMENT
40,726 people trained in climate-adaptive agriculture practices*
46,247 people now have access to an improved water source*
44,358 people globally received training in human rights*
development and peace in the name of Christ | mcc.org
