The Habitat Cabarrus ReStore Has Some Great New Tools to Receive Your Donations!

Donations drive the success of our ReStore, so it is critical that we be able to pick up items quickly and handle them efficiently when we receive requests. In the past, when someone dropped off a donation for the ReStore on a pallet, it had to be unloaded manually or a forklift had to be rented in order to unload the product from their truck.

To expedite that process and accept more donations, we have been able to purchase that same forklift from R.S. Braswell Company that we had been renting! We have also purchased a van from Hilbish Ford as sometimes donations do not warrant taking our large truck. This allows us to do even more pickups, but also to be a little more green – taking a smaller vehicle when needed.

Keep in mind when you are purchasing a new appliance or furniture for your home that the ReStore offers FREE pickup service. Even if the place you purchased from offers pickup service as well, remember that you can get a tax deduction for the contribution when you choose the ReStore. Fill out our Online Donation Form on our website to start the process!

These purchases were made possible by a grant from The Cannon Foundation.

National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Mary Rembert

April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week, which is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of our generous volunteers, many of whom have been offering both their time and effort for many years.

Shining the Spotlight

One such individual, Mary Rembert, has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County and ReStore Cabarrus since 2005 (when our ReStore originally opened). Mary retired that same year, but her love of working with people drew her to a volunteer opportunity with Habitat where she helped with our Christmas gift wrapping. Soon after, she heard that a ReStore would be opening in the area and was excited to begin volunteering at this location. After a couple of store relocations and over a decade of service, Mary has a longer tenure than almost anyone else at our ReStore and is still just as excited to be volunteering.

“My favorite part about volunteering with ReStore is the people I work with,” she said, citing her love of people as a primary reason she enjoys serving with Habitat.

Brightening the Day of Our Shoppers

Mary works primarily at the checkout register, where she is “consistently friendly, efficient, and has fantastic customer service skills,” said Dale Irvin, General Manager at the ReStore. She volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday, brightening the day of every shopper with her warm, friendly personality. “I can’t imagine the Cabarrus ReStore without Mary Rembert,” Irvin went on to say.

Mary also enjoys hearing customers tell her how nice they think it is shopping at the ReStore. She works hard to keep the store neat and orderly, so when people tell her that they appreciate how tidy the shop is, it makes her feel good. Mary understands what a long way creating a clean workspace can go in creating a great customer experience.

Continuing to Make a Difference

In addition to her volunteer work at ReStore, Mary has kept busy during retirement in other charitable ways. She is a volunteer for both Hospice and her church, doing her best to make an impact in the community.

To learn how you can make a difference with Habitat Cabarrus or ReStore, visit http://www.habitatcabarrus.org/habitat/volunteer/opportunities.