There was an overwhelming number of comments about how great the shop is—and most importantly about how the shop makes people feel. It is the sense of warmth, welcome and friendliness that really impacts people. If you stop for a second and think about a time you were in a store, I’m willing to bet you may not remember what you bought specifically, but you will certainly remember the GM’s Corner
feelings that it gave you. It is these feel-good emotions that we are able to bring into people’s lives when they visit.
In early January, I had an opportunity to speak to a local group of retirees in New Hamburg about the thrift shop. It was an amazing time of sharing and listening with those who live in the community and support us in so many ways. What I want to pass along to you from that is the gratitude and appreciation that was expressed by the attendees toward the work you do and the community that you have worked to create.
The same thing also applies to each of you as you volunteer in the community of the shop. We may not remember the donation we handled, or the price we put on something, or how well we retailed it in six months—but those feelings of appreciation and safety and belonging will remain. It is each of you who directly contributes to helping make this happen.
So, with this I’d encourage you to look outside at the snow, imagine spring warmth and think about just how appreciative we are for each of you. It is a real privilege and a blessing to be able to work alongside you as we work to help others!
Mark Patfield
General Manager
MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre
BIRTHDAYS March
Joanne Herrle-Braun
Pauline Gingrich
Bryan Pfaff
Coral Bradshaw
Sheila Jarvie
Pat McGlynn
Judie Bowlby
Doris Brubacher
Sandy Cunningham
Clothing – Sorting
Potting – Plant Sale
Electrical – Testing
Purses/Bags
Retail Floor Support
Potting – Plant Sale
Clothing – Hanging
Coordinator – Plant Sale
Cashier
Anne Defreitas
Patricia Reeve
Anne Good
Katie Entz
Christine Lindner
Leigh Pryor
Lois Cressman
Gary Schoeneweiss
Arnie Vandenhoff
Tyson Welch
Sandra Eby
Cashier
Books
Retail Floor Support
Clothing – Support
Retail Support/Cashier
Clothing – Support
Cashier/Toys – Dolls
Receiving
Retail Floor Support
Receiving
Retail Floor Support
Openings
• Retail Floor Support: Volunteers needed to assist with tidying up the store
• Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cashier: No experience needed, Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 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 afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Receivers: Greet our valued donors at the back door to accept goods. Good customer service required. Shifts available Monday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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. An email was sent in February to all the volunteers who needed to update their information. Thank you for your patience as we work to bring all our volunteers’ information up to date. Contact Emma if you have any questions!
Thank you for your help!
Emma Norris Volunteer Coordinator
Safety Corner
As winter settles in, it’s important to remember that driving in cold, snowy or icy conditions presents a unique set of challenges. To ensure everyone’s safety, here are a few key points to keep in mind when hitting the road during the winter months:
1. Prepare Your Vehicle:
Before you drive, check your vehicle’s condition. Make sure your tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated. It’s also essential to check that your battery is strong, as cold weather can weaken it. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid fuel line freezing, and ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Don’t forget to top up your windshield washer fluid with one designed for winter conditions.
2. Keep a Winter
Emergency Kit:
Always have an emergency kit in your car that includes items such as blankets, a flashlight, non-perishable food, water, gloves, a shovel and some road salt or sand. It’s also a good idea to have extra winter clothing on hand and jumper cables in case your car breaks down.
3. Drive with Caution:
When road conditions are poor, drive slower than usual. Ice can form in unexpected places, like bridges, overpasses and shaded
areas. Increase your following distance to at least five to six seconds behind the car in front of you. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, as this can cause your tires to lose traction.
4. Know How to Handle Skids:
If your vehicle starts to skid, remain calm. Don’t slam on the brakes. Steer gently in the direction you want to go and take your foot off the gas. If your rear tires are skidding, steer into the skid to regain control.
5. Stay Informed:
Check the weather forecast before you head out, and if conditions look dangerous, consider postponing your trip or taking public transportation. By preparing properly and driving with caution, you can significantly reduce your risk of accidents and make winter driving safer for everyone on the road. Stay safe out there!
We welcome our new volunteer who started with us recently!
Haydn WileyEvelyn Armes Karin Demerling Receiving Floor support Party Supplies
Around the Shop
Hope Starts at Home: Exciting Developments at the MCC Hub
The MCC Hub in New Hamburg is buzzing with activity as volunteers continue to make a lasting impact on vulnerable communities here in Ontario and around the world. On January 18, the MCC Hub was filled with excitement as over 700 people gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new MCC Meat Cannery. This state-of-the-art facility will produce 50,000 cans of nutritious food annually for families facing crisis. The 10,000-square-foot facility marks a new chapter in MCC’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian aid.
Local officials, community members and volunteers joined the festivities, with Kitchener-Conestoga MP Tim Louis and Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman helping celebrate the milestone. “We’ve got the space, the logistical efficiencies, and when we
scale up, the impact will be huge,” said Jon Lebold, MCC’s Material Resources coordinator.
This facility will strengthen MCC’s ability to meet food needs in disaster zones and areas facing food insecurity. For example, in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, MCC provides 11,520 cans of meat annually to families like that of Samuel Haki Innocent, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “We only eat meat when there is a distribution of canned meat,” Samuel shared, underscoring the significance of this new facility in meeting critical needs.
The event also featured tours of the facility, where visitors learned about the meat-canning process. They were invited to add messages of support to fabric squares that will be sewn into comforters, connecting this new chapter in MCC’s work with the comfort and care that volunteers create.
Just one week later, the MCC Hub was once again alive with the spirit of giving as 140 volunteers gathered for the Great Winter Warm-Up (GWW) on January 25. These volunteers knotted 30 comforters, working together to meet the goal of 7,000 comforters by March 31. The comforters will be sent to communities in need around the world, offering warmth and compassion.
“What a wonderful outpouring of community support,” said Michelle Brenneman, MCC Ontario’s executive director. The comforters are more than just blankets—they represent love, care and the power of community. As Leah Brown, MCC Ontario’s Material Resources program associate, said, “The more hands we have, the more comfort we can share.”
From the canning facility to the comforter frames, the MCC Hub continues to be a place where volunteers come together to make a difference. Whether you’re contributing to the meat-canning process or knotting comforters, there’s always room for more hands to join in these efforts of compassion and community.
