Keeping our valued volunteers informed
A Message From Our Thrift Director
Dear Volunteers,
As we step into a new year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you do. Your time, effort and care are gifts that breathe life into the mission of MCC Thrift. Each hour you dedicate— sorting donations, welcoming shoppers, arranging displays or working behind the scenes—carries a ripple effect far beyond what we can see. Your service not only makes our shops welcoming spaces but also transforms lives, from local communities here in Ontario to families and individuals in need across the globe.
The work you do is deeply rooted in the values of service and love for our neighbours. Through your commitment, we’ve seen tangible results: food security initiatives, education programs for children
GM’s Corner
Happy New Year to you all! You’ll be reading this a couple of weeks into the new year, so I hope you’ve had a great Christmas and New Year season! I thought I’d touch on a couple of things that have happened at the shop during 2024.
We had the largest single year revenue of any Thrift shop in Canada.
We had the shop’s two largest revenue months ever—May and November.
More customers have visited us in the last year than ever before.
We began diverting an average of over 700 items of clothing pulled on Mondays to other MCC Thrift stores.
We stopped doing furniture pickups.
and peacebuilding efforts in conflict zones. Closer to home, you’ve helped foster a culture of sustainability and provided affordable options for those in need. As Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Your generosity refreshes countless lives, reflecting God’s love in action.
As this year unfolds, may you be blessed with health, joy and the knowledge that your efforts continue to make a difference. Your hands and hearts are part of something far-reaching and transformative. Thank you for being a vital part of this work—your contributions are cherished beyond words.
With deep appreciation,
Lynda Lynch
MCC Ontario Thrift Director
We had an incredibly fun time while doing all the above!
Most importantly, it was a year that we continued to work together in order to raise funds for the program work of MCC. It is these funds that help to keep MCC able to assist people both locally and around the world—and we do it in a manner that is faithful and joyful at the same time. It is a pleasure for each of us on staff to have the privilege to work alongside each of you!
It is my prayer that each of you are deeply blessed and have a happy, healthy and joyful 2025!
Mark Patfield General Manager MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre
Openings
• Retail Floor Support: Volunteers needed to assist with tidying up the store Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon 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 Thursday and Friday mornings or afternoons.
• Receivers: Greet our valued donors at the back door to accept goods. Good customer service required. Shifts available Wednesday mornings and Saturday afternoons.
January
BIRTHDAYS
Mary Koch
Jean Rickert
Mary Ellen Ferguson
Susan Wagler
Jim Brubacher
Melanie Schoeneweiss
Carrie Richmond
Shirley Frenette
Rosella Leis
Ann Mark
Donald Yantzi
Debbie Sabbadin
Retail Floor Support
Pricing & Floor Support
Recycling—Metal
Retail Floor Support
Mary Ellen Zehr
Ruth Howling
Bob Good
Shirley Gingerich
Jacquie Zoeller
Merrin Thomson
Ashley Drudge Annette Gimbel
Elizabeth (Liz) Diebolt
Marli Engeland
Doreen Shantz
Donna Kelterborn
Jeanes
Reusser
Annual MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey
Floor Support & Jewellery Cashier
Floor Support & Clothing
Cashier
Fabric, Yarn & Crafts
You may have already received the MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey. MCC Ontario cares about the experience you and the many other volunteers are having while giving of your time and skills to serve alongside us in this work of relief, development and peace. We would love to hear from you to help us see what is going well and what we need to work on. Kindly click this link to share your feedback with us: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024MCCOVOLUNTEER
Six Tips to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions on Track
New Year’s resolutions often bring a renewed sense of purpose and hope, but sticking to them can be easier said than done. While it’s common to struggle with maintaining these commitments, the key to success lies in how you approach them. Psychologists have identified strategies to help you set realistic goals and sustain them throughout the year.
1. Focus on your wants
When setting your New Year’s resolution, focus on what you want for yourself—not what you think you should want or what others want for you. “Drop the shoulds and focus on the wants,” said Dr. Colleen M. Fairbanks, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in health and wellness.
When you focus on your wants, you’re more likely to spend time mentally preparing for the change. And people who have a readiness for change before starting a resolution have a higher likelihood of keeping it. Lasting changes in health and wellness are more likely to stick when you want them and have been thinking about your plans—and the barriers that may arise.
2. Challenge your current beliefs
Before making changes, spend some time reflecting on your current thoughts or beliefs that are an obstacle to change. For example, if you think that your health is based only on your genetics, you may not believe your behaviour matters.
People who believe that their actions in life have an impact on their own outcomes tend to stick to their resolutions. Remind yourself that the changes you make today can make a difference in your health tomorrow.
3. Set approach-based goals
Setting health-related goals can be challenging because many factors are out of your control. When setting your goals, make them about the approach, not the result. For example, if you want to lower your cholesterol, set a goal to eat three servings of fruits or
vegetables per day or aim to go to the gym two days per week. These goals are more productive than setting a goal for a specific cholesterol test result.
People who set approach-based goals also tend to be more successful than those who set avoidance-based goals. An example of an avoidance goal might be, “I’m not going to eat any cookies for three months.”
4. Get support
Personal relationships and social situations have a big impact on health and wellness. Friends, coworkers, spouses, siblings and parents can either be a source of support—or sabotage. Sometimes, when others haven’t addressed their own health challenges, they can unintentionally be a source of stress.
Talk to your close friends and family about your wellness goals, and let them know which type of support would help you achieve your goals. Find an accountability partner with similar goals who can support you by checking in.
5. It’s all about small changes
Behavioural experts agree that small changes are easier to keep and can build confidence to help you stick to your goals over a longer period of time. According to B. J. Fogg, PhD, author of Tiny Habits, “If you are trying to do 200 push-ups, start with one.” The same goes for goals related to food, health and wellness. Starting with small, achievable changes will help you build your confidence.
6. Healthy rewards and celebration
Setting, maintaining and achieving goals deserves celebration! Think of a few rewards that can help motivate you along the way. When you treat yourself to positive reinforcement, it will encourage continued progress. Maybe it’s as simple as a new shirt for the gym. You decide what will motivate you and what fits within your budget.
(Source: Goodrx.com)
We welcome our new volunteer who started with us recently!
Judy Chapman
Donald Eenkooren Clothing
Electrical/Hardware