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Keeping our valued volunteers informed

GM’s Corner

Happy Fall!!!

As a staff we hope that you’re having a great fall, with lots of time spent in doing things that bring you joy! We have been extremely blessed with a warm, dry, early fall—with luck it has continued until you read this.

We just passed Thanksgiving and as always it gave all of us time to stop for a moment and reflect on just how truly blessed we really are. The blessings at the store start and flow from you—it is you as a volunteer who ensures all the various aspects of the shop can happen, and it is you as a volunteer who ensures that MCC can continue its life-changing programs. You continue to bless us with your time and talents, and it is deeply appreciated!

I’m happy to say that at the halfway point in our fiscal year the shop is doing very well. We have welcomed 37,397 more customers in the first six months this

year as opposed to last. These customers are buying more, which is allowing us to support MCC at a level above our budget. Each of you plays a valuable role in ensuring that each of these folks feels welcomed and able to purchase.

We will be knee-deep in the Christmas season in the store when this comes out. No doubt things will be flying off the shelves, and even more will be coming in. The season always brings an extra-huge buzz into the store, and we hope that you’re able to enjoy it! Keep your eyes open for some extra-special Christmas thank you events at the store this year!

As always, thank you for being so generous with your time and efforts. The work that you do is foundational to the shop and crucial to allowing us to help others. The work you do has a direct line impact in improving people’s lives!

Mark Patfield General Manager MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre

Linda Holst

Kathryn Ritz

Julie Jutzi

Muriel Poole

Martha Cameron

Brody Dietrich

Silvia Isakov

Cleo Bender

Hilda Parsons Krist

Louise Jutzi

Karen Nisbet

Marilyn Reble

Darolyn Zehr

Shirley Becker

Effie Boshart

John Schyff

Sue Voll

Reta Klassen

Safety Corner

To ensure you stay injury-free as you clear driveways and sidewalks, here are some tips for safe snow shovelling:

Be heart conscious.

If you have a history of heart problems and are physically inactive, it’s best to consult with your health care team before starting heavy exercise like shovelling. In addition, don’t shovel while smoking or eating or right after consuming caffeine since this may place extra stress on your heart.

Dress for the weather.

Wear several layers of clothing. You can remove a layer if needed. Avoid wearing cotton next to your body. If you perspire, it can become damp, and you’ll get chilled. Protect your hands, feet and face since these are common areas for frostbite. Wear a hat that covers your ears and a scarf to protect your lower face. Mittens are generally warmer than gloves.

Drink plenty of water.

Remaining hydrated during cold-weather months is just as important as during warmweather months. Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your shovelling session, even if you’re not thirsty.

Warm up.

Before beginning to shovel, stretch your arms, legs, shoulders and back. You’re less likely to injure muscles and joints when they’re warmed up.

Shovel snow while it’s fresh.

Freshly-fallen snow is lighter than snow that

has started melting or has been moved by a plow.

Watch out for ice.

There may be ice under the snow. Be careful, so you don’t slip, fall and injure yourself. Learn how to walk like a penguin on icy surfaces.

Take it slow.

Pace yourself and take breaks if you need to. Safety is more important than speed.

Protect your back.

Bend at the knees, not the back, when lifting the shovel. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet hip-width apart for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Also, don’t pick up too much snow at once. Consider using a smaller shovel or filling a larger shovel no more than halfway.

Listen to your body.

This is the No. 1 snow-shovelling tip. If something doesn’t feel normal or you’re tired, it’s time to stop. Go inside, warm up, rest and drink water, tea or coffee. Reevaluate how your body feels before picking up where you left off.

Stay safe while shovelling, and enjoy the exercise and being outside on a brisk winter day.

Source: mayoclinichealthsystem.org

Talk Climate, Practice Peace

As part of our ongoing commitment to care for God’s creation, MCC is encouraging our supporters to talk about climate. Join us in talking about climate change with your congregation, community, family or friends! Sign up to receive tips and tools in your inbox on how to navigate differences and uncover shared beliefs and interests. Be a brave peacemaker: Talk climate, practice peace! Sign up today

Christa got featured!

Check out Christa’s latest video on Facebook, where she shares her story at MCC and talks about the incredible volunteers, customers, and donors who make it all possible every day.

Click here to watch: Christa’s Video or scan the QR code below to watch instantly!

Training Active Bystanders Workshop

If you are a bystander witnessing a harmful situation, you have a choice to make. Learn how to interrupt harmdoing, generate positive actions by others and be more than a spectator through this important workshop. It is not an expectation of MCC Ontario for volunteers to step into unsafe or risky situations while volunteering. Please always seek out staff should these types of situations arise. The TAB training is to give tools for and reflections about everyday life situations you may come across to feel more equipped to know what to do.

Workshop options:

ONLINE - Wednesday, November 6th – 10:00am - 12:30pm

To register either click HERE or contact Holly McClement – hollymcclement@mcco.ca for support.

IN- PERSON - Thursday, November 7th – 1:30pm - 4:00pm (Only for those in the KW area—there is an inperson TAB training happening at 50 Kent on the 2nd floor)

To register either click HERE or contact Holly McClement – hollymcclement@mcco.ca for support. When you register, please use MCCVOLUNTEER in the payment section. This training is $25 for those who are not MCC staff or MCC volunteers. If you accidentally pay $25 for the training, please let me know and MCC will reimburse you.

Peace Buttons

We will have Peace buttons available for volunteers who wish to wear them this Remembrance Day. Check with a staff member to obtain one

Halloween Clicks at NHTC

Openings

• Retail Floor Support: Volunteers needed to assist with tidying up the store Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. 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 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1–5 p.m.

Welcome!

We welcome our new volunteer who started with us recently!

Aleighna Thibeault

Marisa Riverso

Hellen Wallace

Edith Burkhiolder

Darryl Vinandy

JD Sremec Receiving

Give the Gift of Change

December is around the corner, and all of you at MCC Thrift know a thing or two about gearing up for Christmas! While you are all diligently processing and selling Christmas trees, ornaments, and other items that might make it into a stocking, we’d like to talk about two projects that make meaningful gifts this season.

Bees-ness is buzzing

Beekeeping is a sweet way to enhance the livelihoods of small holder farmers in Northern Karamoja, Uganda by diversifying their income sources through integrated sustainable food systems. In response to the increasing impacts of climate change and conflict, this project, coordinated by MCC’s partner Dynamic Agro Pastoral Development Organization (DADO), provides training on income-generating activities, marketing, village savings groups, livestock and beekeeping. The project will be implemented in Opotipot, Kachapangole, Kangole and Geremech parishes, targeting 1,800 women and 1,600 youth.

As part of the beekeeping team, Robert Loketo (pictured above) can harvest honey to use for his family or to sell. He also benefits by establishing the beehives in strategic places to keep his crops safe from wild animals, especially elephants who are frightened away by bees. $11 assists beekeepers in

buying bees and beehives. Starting November 15, you can make a meaningful donation by purchasing “Bees” at MCC Thrift shops in Ontario.

Sew much more

MCC partner Jordanian Women Qualifying and Training Society (JWQTS) aims to strengthen families and foster peaceful coexistence by empowering women economically, socially and psychologically. The sewing project trains women in sewing, cosmetology, mobile maintenance and cooking, and it promotes cultural understanding through shared activities. A group of 40 marginalized women from Ma’an district in southern Jordan will benefit from this program. By gaining vocational skills and exposure to diverse perspectives, these women will become change agents in their families and communities, promoting gender equality and social inclusion.

Jumlah, a mother of six children, enrolled in the course, even though her husband did not want her to work. He grew to understand the importance of her building a career for herself and her passion for sewing and for intricate details. After her training at JWQTS, Jumlah continued perfecting her craft and now is known in her village near Petra as a skilled seamstress. She sews prayer sets, baby blankets, children’s dresses, curtains and aprons, and she makes alterations to clothes. Each piece is meticulously crafted. JWQTS has gifted her a Singer sewing machine for her to use at home. Jumlah is a role model for women in Jordan who face struggles in a culture dominated by men. Her drive and ambition have helped her to build and market her own business, which began with this sewing course.

$150, provides a sewing machine, empowering women like Jumlah to build livelihoods and uplift their communities.

Visit mcc.org/christmas/sewing-machine for more details.

Go to mcc.org/Christmas to find more gift ideas— from goats, to chickens, to fresh-water wells. And thank you for your continued work in MCC thrift shops across Ontario! Your skills, time and good cheer are a huge part of MCC’s work supporting people around the world live with peace and dignity.

Beekeeper Robert Loketo talks about the DADO apiary project in Kachapangole, Uganda. A beehive is in the tree in the background.