Recently, we had the opportunity to make a product donation to Bethesda Thrift Shop in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Bethesda Thrift Shop is a non profit organization that is affiliated with Bethesda Lutheran Communities. This dates back to 1904 (wow, that is incredible!) and is based in Watertown, Wisconsin. We got a chance to talk briefly with Pat Bellefeuille, who is a store manager there. Bellefeuille was able to give us some insight into what Bethesda is all about.
Bethesda has 21 thrift shops in eight states that rely on more than 3,000 volunteers who donate over 260,000 hours each year. 100% of their net profit goes to support their mission. Bellefeuille’s store will be celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this February. Volunteers started it in 1993 and ran it entirely for the first 17 years.
When we asked if Bethesda Thrift Shop has a mission statement Bellefeuille responded: “Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through services that share the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Donation Product: Mighty Badges
We donated some of our Mighty Badges to the people at Bethesda Thrift. When we asked how they would use them, they gave us a heartfelt answer.
“The name badges were are given as a way to recognize the many hours our volunteers have volunteered,” said Bellefeuille.
“We have some people who have badges with as many as 18,000 hours on them. And many who have 4,000 or more hours. At the end of each year, we total the hours for each volunteer. When they reach 500 hours of volunteering, they get their first badge. Then, when they have 1,000 hours they get another one, and so on. These badges are worn with much pride by those who have earned them. They are presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet we have each spring. These name badges mean a lot to our volunteers as this is about the only recognition that they get for their many years and hours of selfless service.”
In 2010, they moved from their small store in Hopkins to a much larger 17,000 sq. ft. location in Minnetonka, Minnesota. At that time, they hired a full time manager, two assistants and three part time cashiers to keep the store open seven days a week. To support their mission, they also have three people with disabilities as paid staff. Today, a team of about 200 volunteers helps run the store. This includes around a dozen people with disabilities, some of whom have been volunteering there for over five years.