This year, The Second Chance Shop donated $164,000 to its parent, The Village for Families and Children, according to its president, Ellen Peterson. Of that, $110,000 was from the sales of used clothing, accessories and collectibles, the most ever generated in one year. The remainder came from personal donations.
Founded in 1956, the Suffield Women’s Auxiliary of The Village, then called Children’s Services of Connecticut, raised money primarily through social events, such as fashion shows and balls at first.
Photo by Nick Sarnelli
Suffield Second Chance Shop President Ellen Peterson, second from right, hands a symbolic $164,000 check to The Village for Families and Children’s President Hector Glynn as shop co-manager Sharon Sheridan, far left, and The Village’s Chief Financial Officer, Marge Loring, look on.
In 1965, it began collecting used clothing and food for the poor at the Yarn & Exchange Shop, located on North Main Street before redevelopment, near where Kent Memorial Library now sits. In 1974, the Auxiliary opened its first thrift shop at 35 High Street and moved to its current location at 116 Mountain Rd in 2011.
Peterson credits the shop’s 76 active volunteers for its success. “They tirelessly sort, clean, price and display donations”, she said.
Over the years, the shop has expanded its offerings and sales channels. For example, items such as expensive dresses and dinnerware are now listed on eBay. Two years ago, Peterson herself started disassembling watches to make sure they work and installing new batteries before offering them for sale in the shop. Previously, the shop donated them to The Salvation Army.
Peterson, who will celebrate 10 years as shop president next July, is looking to share her workload with another dedicated volunteer. Likewise, she said the shop is always looking for volunteers to handle computerized scheduling and other duties, such as helping run one of its eight departments: designer clothes, men’s, collectibles, accessories, shoes, purses, jewelry and linens.