Harrow, Ont.
Harry Riediger is well known in Harrow. "Harry's Place" was the local second-hand and thrift store for many years. Just a small place, it served the purpose.
But as the years went on, two things became apparent: the shop was too small and Riediger would not be able to run a larger place alone. So he contacted the churches in Harrow, including his home congregation-Harrow Mennonite Church.
The vision caught on in the community and nearly all the congregations signed on. The renovating of a new space, staffing the store, decorating and displaying the goods were all accomplished in a spirit of ecumenical generosity.
The new Full Circle Thrift Store was opened last August. Full of tasteful displays, it is a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) associate store. Lake other stores, it remits funds to MCC for relief and development, but it also contributes to local needs, such as the youth centre, a health clinic, the United Church's Coats for Kids program, and a non-profit sorority's Santa Sacks, a program for children who might not otherwise get anything for Christmas.
The store is open daily each Monday to Thursday afternoon, and all day Friday and Saturday.
"Donations have been great and so have sales," says volunteer manager Sandra Brown.
-Dave Rogalsky
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