It is no news that the Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society (EVTSS) has been an incredible contributing member of the Elk Valley. What is astonishing is the amount of financial assistance they have acquired for several Elk Valley groups, projects, organizations and the community as a whole.

For those who are unaware, EVTSS is a volunteer operated second hand store located in Town Centre in Sparwood. They are a non-profit society that aims to give back to Elk Valley communities and provide a clean, friendly, and organized shopping environment. They pride themselves on the principle of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and maintain a no dumping policy, which ensures that unsold items will be relocated or repurposed. They boast a large variety of items including clothing, kitchenwares, and home décor. They also have a fresh supply of Halloween costumes for those looking for that perfect get-up without the big price tag as well as hunting gear and hockey equipment. Not to mention the profits go directly back into the community which is a huge bonus.

"Business is just booming and we are doing great!” says Katrin Taylor, who heads operations at the EVTSS. "We have already donated $54,000 this year alone."

This means that by November, the EVTSS will have donated over $200,000 to the 3 communities of the Elk Valley since it's inception almost 3 years ago.

The EVTSS has recently completed some much needed projects to help communities of the Elk Valley. One such project was possible by the collaboration of the EVTSS, the Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society (SOAPS) and Lilac Terrace. The project mission was to build a breezeway to make travel between the Lilac Terrace and SOAPS Seniors hall easier for the seniors to travel between. Each of the 3 groups raised $25,000 to obtain a total of $75,000 that was required for the completion of the breezeway.

The EVTSS has also recently donated $10,000 to the Elkford Community Enhancement Society for a new playground project and the list of additional contributions is impressive and lengthy.

They have donated a T.V. to the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, backpacks to Women of Steel, Toys for Tots, the Terry Fox Run, Avalanche City Roller Girls Club, Sparwood Air Cadets, Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society, the Scherer family who were victims of a house fire, the Parkinson's walk, the Skate Park, school lunch programs, Sparwood Health Centre and numerous other benefactors that have received a helping hand from EVTSS.

On Friday, November 18, EVTSS will also be opening their Christmas Shop for the third year, which has been a huge success in the past and is run by Lynn Cornell.

"The Christmas Store has been a huge success and just keeps getting bigger and better each year. We have a huge amount of donations to sort through, so please people, we don't ask for a lot but Lynn needs help," says Taylor.

Although you wouldn't know it by the amount of progress they make, Taylor and the volunteer staff are stretched thin at the moment. They require more volunteers to be able to better serve the Elk Valley. They work very hard to keep up with their work load but the 20-25 volunteers sometimes become overwhelmed, although you'll never hear them say it.

"I can't stress enough that a lot of the bigger thrift stores or even the ones that run the same kind of volume have well over 50 volunteers," says Taylor. "We are doing this with half of the volunteers or less. The people that help all just buckle right down and work very hard which is great to see."

EVTSS is asking residents with any spare time during the week to come down and volunteer if they can, and help this incredible community gem extend it's helping hand even further.

"Come down to the store and we'll walk you through it and show you what we are doing," Taylor added. "We are certainly very flexible with hours and people don't have to work full days. If someone just has an hour or two once a week that is fine."

For more information and for updates on what the EVTS are doing, you can visit their Facebook Page. If you wish to volunteer you can contact them through Facebook or visit the Elk Valley thrift shop to begin making a difference in the community.