Kyle here, as the Assistant Manager, I am privileged to be taking over this section for this month’s newsletter. A lot of things have been going on here at our shop as of late. We have had a dry season of donations which is coming to a stark end. By God’s grace our donation numbers are starting to skyrocket again! For the first time in some months, we are back to our busy body selves, shoving donations into every nook and cranny we can find in the work room. On top of this we have our volunteer appreciation dinner coming up at Colasanti’s which is always a treat. Our summer has been a fun one, with the mill street night markets especially. We
BIRTHDAYS
have been in cowboy gear, summertime Christmas décor, and on September 12th, we flashed back to the eighties! Always a fun time. Coming out of our summertime madness we are also entering fall which inevitably leads to winter and a whole new kind of madness. Though the times may be busy, we are so thankful to our dedicated volunteers who come in, work with us, and always make our days brighter. You are all the stars of the show, and we are very thankful for the time you all have put into work here.
Kyle Bartsch Assistant Manager MCC Thrift on Mill
New Volunteers
Join me in welcoming Liam and Harlee to the MCC Thrift on Mill Volunteer Team! Please give them a warm welcome and invite them to your snack crew!
Volunteer Enagement Manager Inspiration
It is officially fall! The leaves are turning, and the cool air let us know that the Thanksgiving season is en-route! Yay!
Thanksgiving in our household is a special time to give thanks, remembering the mercies and grace of the past nine months. As we remember the fall harvest, our bounties, loving families and many other blessings; let us reflect on those we serve with our time and talents and pray for their welfare this month.
With our service we help:
• Train 40, 726 people in sustainable agricultural programs.
• Plant 337, 234 trees
• Give 26, 850 people agricultural supplies to earn incomes and feed their families.
Thank YOU so very much for supporting MCC’s work with your volunteer service. We treasure it and look forward to helping more people with your support!
In Memory of Rita Enns
We are saddened by the passing of Rita Enns, a cherished member of MCC Thrift on Mill volunteer team. Her warm smile and dedication as a cashier will be deeply missed—especially on Fridays. We are grateful for her care and contributions. Please remember her family in your prayers.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Mary!
Thank you, Mary Regehr, for your years of thoughtful service. We appreciate your commitment and wish you all the best in your second retirement.
Farewell, Emma Muldoon!
We celebrate Emma, our dedicated part-time associate, as she steps into a new opportunity. We are deeply grateful for her time, energy, and heart during her service with Thrift on Mill!
Congratulations on your new position, Emma! May your journey ahead be filled with purpose, joy, and Kingdom impact. We pray that God continues to guide your steps and bless the work of your hands. Shine on, Emma — be your authentic self with Jesus lighting the way!
Open Volunteer Positions
Do you have a heart for service and 2 hours to spare? Volunteer with us! Email litunjiaolubusi@mcco.ca or call LiTunjia Olubusi 519-326-3665 extension 312.
• Change Room Attendant – Keep things moving with tidy rooms, friendly smiles, and fashion advice on the fly!
• Sales Floor Helper – Love people and bargains? Help customers find hidden treasures!
• Donation Sorter – Be the first to discover donated gems behind the scenes!
• Cashier – Ring up sales with joy and send shoppers off with a smile!
• All-Around Helper – Jump in where needed and keep the shop running smoothly!
Volunteer Enagement Manager Recipe
When I was a young baker, I enjoyed making dump cakes. A dump cake is a ‘cake’ that does not require mixing and is easily assembled, hence the name. Despite their easy assembly, they are tasty, attractive, and popular. Enjoy one of my favorite ways to celebrate the fall season!
October Volunteer Luncheon & Potluck: Double the Celebration This October!
We are thrilled to celebrate our MCC Thrift on Mill volunteers twice this month!
Volunteer Luncheon at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens
Thank you to everyone who RSVP’d by September 30—we are all set for a fantastic afternoon of appreciation and fun!
All-Day Potluck in the Breakroom
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Breakroom
Missed the luncheon? No worries! Join us for a cozy, come-and-go potluck. Bring a savory dish and a smile—we will take care of dessert!
Let us make October a month to remember. Thank you for all you do!
MCC Ontario Peace Conference
November 1, 2025 at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener
Join us on Saturday, November 1, for the MCC Peace Conference and explore the art of everyday peace. Attend in person in Kitchener, remotely from home, or at a watch party in St Catharines, Leamington, or Markham.
Active MCC volunteers receive 25% off with the code MCCVOLUNTEER25.
Register by October 15 to secure your spot!
Learn more and register: mcc.org/events/peace-conference-0
Women’s History Month
Canada recognizes October as a month to learn about women. I thought it is especially appropriate to recognize a female volunteer, Florence Nightingale.
Florence Nightingale is the pioneer of modern nursing, and I hope you enjoy these tidbits about her. She was:
• Born: May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy.
• All about Faith: Devout Christian; believed nursing was her divine calling.
• Nicknamed: The Lady with the Lamp – known for comforting wounded soldiers at night during the Crimean War.
• Impactful: Reduced hospital death rates from 42% to 2% by enforcing hygiene and sanitation during the Crimean War.
• The Founder of Modern Nursing: Established the Nightingale School of Nursing in London (1860), opening the profession to women outside Catholic doctrines.
• Educated in Male-Dominated Fields: Studied mathematics and statistics—rare for women at the time—and used them to drive health reform.
• A Data Visualization Pioneer: Created pie charts and “coxcomb” diagrams to show preventable deaths, influencing public health policy.
• A Hospital Reformer: Advocated for clean, well-ventilated hospitals with natural light—her design principles shaped modern healthcare facilities.
• A Public Health Advocate: Used statistical evidence to improve sanitation in British India and military hospitals.
• An Author & Educator: Wrote Notes on Nursing and over two hundred reports, letters, and papers on health, nursing, and social reform.
• Recognized by the Crown: First woman awarded the British Order of Merit (1907), honoring her lifelong contributions to health and service.
Remember to Check in with Yourself =)
Please, take a moment during break times to refresh.
You can find the basics and anything else you need waiting for you under the sink!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am so grateful for you and pray your holiday is relaxing with sweet community time where you reflect on the mercies of this season and the abundance of Canada’s wealth.
Suggestion Box
Do you have a concern and want to remain anonymous? Use the suggestion box to tell MCC Thrift on Mill your concerns. If you would prefer to talk on the phone or contact me directly, you can reach me at 519-3263665 extension 312 or litunjiaolubusi@mcco.ca.
Around the Shop
Emma in her UoW gown
Sakina & Teresa
Mill St fun!
Mill St fun!
Mill St fun!
Emma hard at work (We’ll MISS YOU!)
Learning, Listening, and Building Bridges: A Journey from Timmins
When Christopher Richardson—receiving team lead at MCC Thrift in St. Catharines—was invited to join a recent MCC Learning Tour to Timmins, he knew it would be meaningful. What he didn’t expect was how deeply it would reshape his understanding of Canada’s story, his own identity, and his role at MCC.
“Growing up, I thought I understood Canadian history,” Christopher reflects. “But so much was missing. I learned a lot over the past five years at MCC’s annual staff Truth and Reconciliation Day trainings, but on this tour, I really began to see through a new lens—an Indigenous lens.”
reflects Christopher. “[But] to have this Anglican church building now repurposed to bring hope and comfort to those same people is amazing.”
The journey north impressed him with the vastness of the land and the resilience of Indigenous communities. In Timmins, Christopher and the group, mostly other MCC staff, were led by MCC’s Indigenous Neighbours team through a jam-packed itinerary. They learned from partners like Mike Metatawabin, Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. They walked through the city with city councillor Kristin Murray, who shared how huge murals now tell stories once suppressed. The visit to Quilts for Survivors—where handmade quilts are offered as gifts of warmth and healing to residential school survivors—was compelling. “The church did so much harm to Indigenous children through residential schools,”
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“It was a heavy week,” Christopher admits. “But it was also hopeful. I saw bridges being built—between churches and Indigenous leaders, between communities, and in myself as I wrestled with what reconciliation means for me and my future children.”
Back at St. Catharines Thrift, Christopher is passionate about sharing what he learned, from dreaming about a mural by a local Indigenous artist to encouraging others to attend powwows and connect with Indigenous leaders in Niagara.
“I’m still working through what this means for me and my identity as a fifth-generation Canadian,” Christopher says. “But I am hopeful that I can do my part in making sure the next generation can view our identity and place in Canada through an Indigenous lens.”
Every day, hundreds of donations and purchases flow through MCC’s thrift shops. That work directly supports MCC’s programs and partners, including reconciliation and decolonizing initiatives like the ones Christopher saw in northern Ontario. Thank you for supporting this vital work!
MCC Ontario is seeking a Thrift Growth & Performance Manager to lead strategic initiatives that drive growth, enhance shop performance, and support network-wide projects across all thrift locations. This role involves regular visits to MCC Ontario Thrift Shops and requires collaboration with General Managers and crossfunctional teams to implement innovative solutions. Hybrid and flexible work options are available, with a start date of November 24, 2025. If you know someone who would be a great fit for this role - or think you might be - please share or apply. bit.ly/Thrift-Growth-Performance-Manager
