Operating a Thrift Shop - Camano Center
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May 2021
Vol. 34 No. 5
The Camano Center connects, enriches, and supports our community.
Operating a Thrift Shop Why are you only open Fridays and Saturdays? For
Bonnie Eckley—Executive Director each day open it takes a minimum of 10 volunteers to
cover the 2 shifts (10am-1pm and 1pm -4pm). In addi-
Last month I was able to report to you that we tion, my goal is to process all the donations coming in
opened the store again on March 12th. We are now each day, before the day is complete. This takes an-
going on our 8th week of operations and things are other 8-10 volunteers to sort, clean, price and re-load
really clipping along! I get a lot of questions about the the store floor. Some volunteers have chosen not to
store, so I thought I would answer some of them in return due to COVID, or have moved on to other ven-
this month’s newsletter. I have learned a lot about tures. Bringing new volunteers in is a process that
what it takes to maintain the daily/weekly influx of takes time.
items and people, by working at the store so I feel
much more capable of answering inquiries than I did Do I still need an appointment to bring my dona-
when I first started! tions to you? No. We are no longer taking donations
on an appointment basis. We take them on the days
Why is the Executive Director running the store? that we are open. Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
During the COVID shut down, many plans were put on
hold or changed for many people. This includes the Why aren’t you accepting clothing? On occasion
Manager, Assistant Manager, and staff of the thrift you will see signs that say “no clothes” or unfortu-
shop. As the director it became my responsibility to nately, “no donations”. My goal by having the pro-
make the decision to open or not, and to get in and cessing happening during the open days, is to no long-
learn and run the place with mostly volunteers in- er have to say “no donations” (and we haven’t since
order to recover financially. This has been difficult, (Continued on page 3)
but invaluable to me as the director.
Page 2
Kathy Sanchez | President
Marilyn Grosjean | Vice-President
Bruce Spong | Treasurer
Connie Johnson | Secretary
Jeff Highland
Ken Johnson
Bonney Lemkin
Rose Olson
Mark Phibbs
Tim Spencer
Bonnie Eckley |
aren Conway | Programs & Development
Kendall Faragher | Office Manager
Cindy Hand | Auction & Donor Support
Monday – Friday | TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Karen Bueschke | Bookkeeper
Saturday –Sunday | TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Adin Collver | Catering Director
Linda White | Hospitality Coordinator
Tom Clark | Maintenance Director
John Cross | Thrift Shop Receiving
Steve Sanchez | Thrift Shop Receiving
Monday – Thursday| TEMPORARILY CLOSED John Schultz | Thrift Shop Receiving
Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. Karen Camp | Cleaning Team
Sunday CLOSED Julia Parker | Cleaning Team
Donations Accepted Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. Michelle Reed | Cleaning Team
to 4:00 p.m. or until we are full.
Camano Connections is published monthly by Camano Senior Services Association, a 501(c)(3) regis-
tered organization located at 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island Washington 98282. Opinions or is-
sues presented do not necessarily represent an endorsement by Camano Senior Services Association.
There is no implied or actual endorsement of any of the advertisers appearing in this newsletter
.
Camano Connections is funded by membership dues, advertising revenues and other fundraising
efforts.
Page 3
(Continued from page 1) more that we can invest in the programs and services
to our community.
being open) but right now we still have a back log of
How can we help? This community is amazing. I hear
unprocessed clothing and linens that go back a long
this question more than any other! You can help by
time. We need to clear it before just adding to the top
volunteering. You can help by spreading the word
of it again. The next important step is selling the items
about the store and the center. You can help by do-
out on the floor, or we cannot continue to put more
nating items that we can feel good about passing on-
out. You will notice if you come in, that all clothing in
to someone else. (We unfortunately have a big gar-
the older building is $2 per piece no matter what it
bage/dump bill to dispose of items that are broken,
is…coat, 3 piece-suit, or jeans…$2. This is our hope to
dirty/stained, or flat-out trash. This hurts our bottom
move clothing fast (which means you get a great
line the most), and you can help by shopping! You will
deal!) so we can continue to take more and put more
be amazed at the store and how the items are new
out.
each day and priced to sell! For every load of yucky
Why don’t you just hire people so you can be open stuff, we get 5 loads of amazing things!
more, and make more money? The store used to be Thank you to the amazing group of volunteers and
open 6 days a week which takes a tremendous staff that have put in so many hours to help me get
amount of labor and planning (and higher expenses the store open and continued to run safely and effi-
such as PUD, water, etc.) In being open a limited num- ciently. We have a fantastic group of men and women
ber of days, we are working smarter, not harder. that do such important work!
Currently the store is making more revenue in 2 Our shopping and donating hours are Friday and
days than it did in 8 days. The store is a non-profit Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Masks are mandato-
that funds a big portion of the Camano Senior Ser- ry to enter. Thank you for shopping and donating!
vices Association so this is a very important piece of Come in and see us!
the overall puzzle. Everything we save in expenses is
July 17, 2021 Information and a link to reg-
ister will be up on our website
by May 7th.
Although the Crab Dash will be in
person this year, we are looking
into ways to keep it fun, challeng-
ing and safe.
The 5K Run/Walk and the 10K run
will be timed for the first time
since 2019 by BuDu Racing!
Page 4
Island Senior Resources
Aging & Disability Resource Specialist
Island Senior Resources has an office located inside the Camano
Center.
If you need assistance accessing resources for seniors or Meals on
Wheels please contact Angela Sherlock their Aging and Disability Re-
source Specialist.
360.387.6201 or angela.sherlock@dshs.wa.gov.
May Entrée Menu News from the Kitchen
3 Mon Ham & Scalloped Potato Bake
Ken Silkett & Margaret McNeil-Law
5 Wed Beef & Bacon Black & Blue Sandwich
7 Fri Chicken Taco Salad During Washington state's continuing COVID-19 Stay
10 Mon Turkey, Ham, & Cheese Wrap Home, Stay Healthy Order, Island Senior Resources
invites eligible seniors to participate in its curb-side
12 Wed Asian Chicken Salad
take out program located at the Camano Center.
14 Fri Focaccia Meat Lovers Pizza
17 Mon Chicken Pesto Pasta Suggested donations for hot meals (includes choice of
19 Wed Southwest Salad milk or juice & dessert and the day's entrée is $6.00;
frozen meals: $5.00 (excludes dessert). Checks or
21 Fri Italian Chicken Pie
cash are accepted; no debit/credit cards. For further
24 Mon information, call (360) 387-0222 or email Ken at
camaonkitchen@islandseniorservices.org on Mon-
26 Wed BLT w/Chicken
day, Wednesday or Friday.
28 Fri Double Cheeseburger Slider
31 Mon MEAL SITE CLOSED
NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT
nwjustice.org
Northwest Justice Project: Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral This is a great website for information
on just about any subject of interest to elders, especially the self-help section. There’s information on housing, taxes,
Social Security, estate planning, quitclaims, wills, etc.
If you do not have computer access, the number for seniors 60-plus, is 888-387-7111 (state wide). Deaf, hard of
hearing or speech impaired callers can call 877-211-9274 using the relay service of their choice.
Page 5
Welcome to Medicare BECOME A SHIBA VOLUNTEER
Upcoming Online Presentations Help your friends, neighbors and family learn
This presentation will be on a remote platform more about health insurance and public pro-
using Zoom during the COVID-19 out- grams!
break. Registration is required. *Please register Many volunteer opportunities available! SHI-
one hour prior to workshop start time. BA volunteers receive 30 hours of basic
health insurance training, monthly updates
Date: Wednesdays (on-going)
Time: 6:00-8:00pm and ongoing supervision and support by a
Click link for available dates staff member of the Office of the Insurance
Commissioner.
Date: Thursdays (on-going)
Time: 2:00-4:00pm Please contact SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator
Click link for available dates Sue Shearer at 425.954.2522 or the SHIBA
Helpline at 425.290.1276 for information.
The Welcome to Medicare presentation will cov-
er the following: Insurance options for Medicare-eligible individuals
Find affordable health insurance, prescription
Overview of Medicare Part A, B, C, and D cov- drugs, or health care for you and your family
erage as well as Medicare Supplements
Learn about your rights and options
Delaying Medicare Enrollment
Compare insurance plans and prices
Enrollment and Eligibility Deadlines
Understand government health programs
Qualifying and Extra Help to pay for Prescrip-
Appeal a decision by your health plan
tion Drug Cost
Understand a bill from your doctor’s office
Questions? Click to send an email to Sue Shear-
er (shibasnohomish@gmail.com). SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors)
is a free, confidential and impartial counseling re-
source sponsored by the Washington State Office of
SHIBA – Statewide Health the Insurance Commissioner. Volunteer advisors will
Insurance Benefits Advisors help you understand your rights and options, and
offer up-to-date information so that you can make an
Serving Medicare Clients of Snohomish,
informed decision concerning your health insurance
Camano Island & East Skagit Counties
needs.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our advisors are working
SHIBA volunteers are highly trained to counsel Medi-
by phone or by Zoom. Advisors are available Monday
care-eligible residents of all ages regarding choices,
through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
options, and problems with private health insurance,
Call 425.290.1276 and leave a message for a call back
affordable prescription drugs, and Medicare.
to schedule either a phone or Zoom appointment.
Page 6
What You Need To Know
We are pleased to announce that foot care is back!
Same ladies, different company. Announcing D&L
Essential Services LLC.
Safety and your care are our number one priority and
we want to assure you that we are adhering to all
CDC guidelines. Please arrive at your appointed time
wearing a mask. When entering please use the south
side of the building using the exterior door.
You will need to enter through the exterior side door for
Your temperature will be taken and hand sanitizer foot clinic. You will not be admitted through the main
available when you enter and as you exit the build- entrance.
ing. Follow the arrows to your seat. When service is HOW TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS
complete, you will again follow the arrows and exit Call 360-421-3629
out the main entrance. Keeping in mind that the Cen- Appointments are available on the 1st, 2ndand 4th
ter is not open for business. Wednesdays .
Fees are as follows:
Donna and Lynn $30 toenails
$6 fingernails
Checks accepted, cash preferred when possible.
End of Life Ready: Advance Directives Free Class
Tuesday, June 8th from 1-2 pm
This introductory presentation by End of Life Washington will provide an overview of your end-of-life
choices and options. We will introduce the End of Life Washington Advance Directives (a combined
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Health Care Directive). Filling out Advance Directives
for Health Care is important for making your choices and values known in the event you are unable to
speak for yourself or make healthcare decisions.
This presentation will provide you with tools and resources to complete your own Advance Directives
for Health Care and a better understanding of the importance of these documents.
End of Life Washington is a statewide non-profit organization that supports people preparing for their
final days. They advocate for the right to a peaceful death.
For more information or to register, please call 360-321-1600 ext. 0 or email: recep-
tion@islandseniorservices.org
Thank You for Supporting the Camano Center Page 7
Donations received March 11 - April 10
Anonymous Appreciation Lee & Sandra Clemetson
Appreciation—Thrift Shop Conner Family Fund
Julie Dean / P.E.O. Chapter
Anonymous—Appreciation Vaccine Clinic
Kevin Gilbert / Papa's Apothecary
Anonymous—Masks Marilyn & Walter Grosjean
Linda & John, Jr. Hadley
Appreciation Jennifer Hanft / Killian Korn
Donna Lima—Grocery Delivery Carrie Hardy / Stanwood Integrative Medicine
La Rae & Gerald Riney—Grocery Delivery Jeffrey Highland
Cindy & Scott Hand—Services Judith Hendricks and Donald Fisher
Tonia MacPhail / Stanwood Hearing
Lorraine & Chris Landstrom—Medical Equipment Lending
Carol Mason / Movement Arts General
Lyle & Laura Peterson—Medical Rides Frank & Mary Montgomery
Helga Johnson—Medical Rides Rachel Pigott / Island Harvest Farm
Mike & Flossie DeYoung— Thrift Shop Rand & Gretchen Pigott
Elizabeth Rutherford—Vaccine Clinic Gene Puhrmann & Jane Morris
Joan Ritzenthaler
John Todd & Cynthia Moffet—Vaccine Clinic
Ashley Schuette / Symmetry Chiropractic Wellness Center
Randy & Melanie Serroels
In Memory Duane Simshauser
Cheryl Gruger—Memory of Kert English Sole Somers
Beverly Maxwell—In Memory of George Stevenson Brandy Timmer / Purple Sunset Boutique
Beverly Maxwell—In Memory of Kert English Phil & Candy Trautman
Josephine Caring Community
Mary & Bruce Trimble
General Donations Carol Triplett
Karla Benjamin Joanna & Paul Williams
Paul & Ginny Berube Costco
Oren & Gay Campbell St. Aidan's Episcopal Church
Shirley Chapman & Fred Evans Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund
Pat Clark & Carol Hoeksema
How and when to apply for benefits Pre-registration required. For more information call
Types of benefits you may qualify for 360-321-1600 ext 0.
Your Social Security rights May 18 1:30 p.m.
Benefits based on earnings, spousal earnings July 20 1:30 p.m.
(current and former) Sept 21 1:30 p.m.
Survivor benefits for widow(er)s To pre-register, go to www.senior-resources.org/
calendar and click on the date of the event.
This Island Senior Resources workshop will be pre-
sented via Zoom by Annette Barca who has been con- For more information call 360-321-1600 or
ducting pre-retirement seminars for 15 years. Free. 360-678-3373.
Page 8
Gold Business Members
Silver Business Members
Edward Jones - Ron Kennedy
Edward Jones - Jared Johnson
IRG Physical Therapy
Island County Human Services will be hosting a weekly Support Group for Seniors on Zoom.
The group will meet Thursdays from 11-12. The focus will be building social connections in the
era of physical distancing. While not a therapy group, this can be a place where you can feel
comfortable sharing any struggles you are experiencing in response to the COVID-19 safety rec-
ommendations.
If you are interested, please call 360 678 8293 or fill out the form online at
https://www.cognitoforms.com/IslandCounty1/COVID19ReferralForServices.
Page 9
Where’s Connie
Connie Johnson —Board Member
(Continued on page 11)
Page 10
Storm Water As our forests and undergrowth
have been replaced with buildings,
Kathryn Wells—Snohomish Conservation District lawns, driveways and roads, more
of the rainwater hits these surfaces
Camano Island was once thickly and runs off, taking with it pollu-
forested. Parts of it still are, and tants such as fertilizers and pesti-
there you can see how the forest cides, animal waste, oils and tire
ecosystem manages the abundant dust. Some of that ends up in our
rain of the Pacific Northwest. Go to streams, ponds, and the marine
one of our forested parks during a waters around us. Too much of
rain shower and watch as the these pollutants can sicken and kill
drops are caught by the leaves or salmon (ultimately also harming
needles of the trees and the orcas), make shellfish unsafe to
shrubs, salal, and ferns beneath eat, create toxic algae blooms, and
them. You don’t get soaked until if these pollutants get into our
you step out in the open, do you? groundwater, can threaten our
Then watch where the water goes drinking water supplies.
once it hits the ground. It disap-
pears into the thick, soft, porous We can mimic the forest ecosys-
layer of decomposing leaves and tem in our developed landscape to
twigs, and groundcovers like ferns, and filters all that rain, and slowly help prevent some of this storm-
fringecup, mosses and fungi. What- some of the water from that rain water pollution. Rain gardens and
ever isn’t caught by these forest shower makes its way to our aqui- bioswales collect runoff and filter it
elements slips into the soil and ac- fers to provide us with cool, clean through special soils, using native
cumulates in natural depressions, drinking water years into the fu- and non-native, non-invasive
perhaps where a tree’s root ball ture. plants to soak up some of the wa-
had once been. The soil absorbs (Continued on page 12)Volunteer In the Spotlight Page 11
es and selling lots of stuff on the
Connie Johnson-Board Member side.
It’s finally happened! 2nd Chance MARILYN gently guides us and
Thrift Shop is “back in business” never seems harried, And boy, JOAN H. has joined the crew as we
and going strong, thanks to the does she know where all the bod- price and sort. She’s always so
hard work and determination of ies are buried. cheerful and a very good sport.
an amazing crew of volunteers,
both “old” & “new”, and their CONNIE works hard on the Board, JOAN B. found a niche in hard-
fearless leader. The Center and Store. She writes, ware heaven, And exhibits great
does groceries, sells sterling silver talent dressing up our mannikin.
At a gathering shortly before the and more.
doors opened again for the first GALEN excels in all areas and it’s
time in over a year, we were SANDY’S the queen of our clothing quite proper That she’s designat-
treated to this delightful poem by boutique. She works like a trouper ed as Linda’s personal shopper!
fellow volunteer and long-time and still looks quite chic.
CSSA supporter, Linda Hadley, cel- LAEL was willing to work at any
ebrating all those involved who PAM works steadily and long with- slot. We said “How about books”
made it possible. Enjoy! out any direction; She knows and she was off like a shot.
where everything goes in every
section. The past few months we’ve
BONNIE wears so many hats, it’s worked as a team, So many laughs
often been said: “How does that SOLE is everywhere arranging the – finally realizing our dream…..
WONDER WOMAN even hold up merchandise. She sure gets
her head?” Directing the Center around lots, for someone her size. We’re reopening the store, so let’s
plus managing the store, Setting sing and dance, While we give our
up COVID shots with energy ga- LAURA we’re so glad you’re now customers a SECOND CHANCE.
lore. along for the ride, Looking up pric-
(Where’s Connie continued from page 9)
“We must think about facilitating the achievement of others’ happiness, and not be inordinately or exclusively
self-obsessed with our own. Such a regard for others and their happiness would have certainly resonated with
the early founders of our country, many of whom were themselves immigrants, and who were concerned not
simply with their own well-being but with all those who would come after them in the United States.”
--Professor Brent Strawn
At this critical time in our nation’s life, it is more vital than ever before that we take our responsibilities to be-
have in such a way that these essential ideals upon which everything we hold dear rests seriously, and commit
to them absolutely.(Storm Water continued from page 10) This project has been funded wholly or in part by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency under
ter and keep the soil loose. On Camano, you can visit assistance agreement 01J18101 to the WA Depart-
the bioswale at the new Camano Administrative ment of Ecology. The contents of this document do
Building and visit the rain gardens behind the Win- not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the
dermere office at the Camano Commons and at Ca- Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention
mano Island Dental. of trade names or commercial products constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
Other techniques exist to help us return clean water
to our aquifers and keep polluted stormwater from
reaching our streams and our beautiful Puget Sound.
I’ll share more ideas over the next year, and Whidbey
Island Conservation District provides fantastic sug-
gestions for actions we all can take to keep our water
clean.
Visit their website: https://www.whidbeycd.org/
stormwater-nta.html
If you’d like assistance with drainage and preventing
runoff, regardless of size or type of property you
have, please reach out to the Snohomish Conserva-
tion District. We’re here to help!
Snohomish Conservation District
https://snohomishcd.org/sound-homes
425-335-5634
Thanks to Whidbey Island Conservation District and
the Washington Department of Ecology for sponsor-
ing this series of articles.You can also read
