Oct. 11 - Volunteering Fun
Day 283 of a year of kindness
This morning, I volunteered at Tabitha’s Closet, a thrift store at Peace Dale Congregational Church. A few months ago, I helped organize their donations, but today I worked the register and assisted shoppers.
I had a lovely chat with one of the women from my water aerobics class who came in searching for sweaters. My favorite moment of the day was when a little 4-year-old girl picked out a necklace with big blue baubles to wear with her Cinderella costume. We gave it to her for free and she proudly wore it out of the store.
The thrift store is open once a week, and everything is priced under $6—including brand-new winter coats.
Gary, 86, has been volunteering at the thrift store and managing its money for two years. The thrift store just celebrated its second anniversary. In that time, they’ve raised $24,000—all of which goes directly to feeding the hungry, helping people pay their electric bills, or supporting those facing emergencies. Gary shared that he’s attended churches in the past that did little to support their communities, but this one, he said, is the real deal.
It was a fun and fulfilling morning. I left with a practically brand-new Land’s End tartan winter vest for my mom—for just $4. She loved it.
Science of Kindness: Science reveals that volunteering reduces stress and increases positive feelings by releasing dopamine. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report a sense of meaning and appreciation both given and received. #BeKind #KindnessCounts #KindnessCounts2025 #kindness #kindnesswins #peacedalecongregationalchurch
