OWINGS, Md. — Owings-based thrift store, the HELP Association Inc., is seeking volunteers to assist with everything from sorting donations to delivering goods to the community.
The HELP Association is a longstanding nonprofit in Calvert County. The little white building tucked between Chesapeake Beach Road and E. Mount Harmony Road sells goods at affordable prices. Prices are as low as 50 cents for children’s clothes, and the store provides a much-needed place to shop for families who may be struggling. The HELP Association’s proceeds also support other nonprofits in the area.
HELP has been a staple of the community since 1972. It was founded by a group of like-minded community members, including several civil service employees, who wanted to give back.
As for people assisted or community impact, HELP President Brenda James says that there’s “no real way to tell. But visit our store Wednesday through Saturday, and the parking lot is packed.”
Packed may be an understatement. The store is only open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those days, but any visitors will likely find themselves vying for a parking spot and waiting in line to fill their bags with clothes, toys and housewares. The toy section is popular, taking up a whole wall of outdoor space for kids to select a new favorite for only a dollar or two. Kids under 16 are also encouraged to select a free stuffed animal and book when they come in.
Because it’s run entirely by volunteers, those who help out are an essential part of the store’s operations. Volunteers can be certain that their time has a direct impact on neighbors relying on the HELP Association to get the things they need—from diapers to a school backpack to an interview outfit or their first pair of scrubs.
Currently, the HELP Association is looking for all types of volunteers. They invite people to work as voting members, who work set days and perform additional administrative tasks, and regular community service workers, who want to give back or need hours but can’t commit to member requirements. The organization also needs volunteers for Super Sorting Sunday (SSS), which takes place two Sundays a month. HELP can accommodate 15 to 20 volunteers each SSS session. Groups from all over the state have participated in this volunteer effort.
SSS helps HELP catch up on sorting donation bags so they can stock the store with fresh merchandise. It’s one of the biggest pieces of volunteer work people can do.
James says she joined as a volunteer in 2003. She was a stay-at-home mom looking for ways to get involved and was deeply impressed by the thrift store, its mission and the fact that it’s 100% volunteer-run. She says HELP is special because it’s community operated and the benefits are local.
“HELP Association is composed of people, from all walks of life, who work tirelessly together to make a difference in the lives of others. It is a privilege to know such goodness exists and I have worked, and continue to work, alongside some of the most extraordinary people in our community,” James said.
She wants the organization to feel community-based and welcoming for both shoppers and volunteers. “We need all the HELP we can get!” she said, her passion for the cause still brimming over, even after 20 years.
Luckily, there’s a place right in Owings where we can all lend, or receive, a helping hand.
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