Author’s Note: We’ve looked at the national, state and regional economic conditions from the perspective of businesses and politicians. With gas prices soaring, increasing as much as 3 or 4 cents per day, and the cost of everything from food to clothing climbing at incredible rates, what can we as consumers do to protect what little we have, pay our bills and save our hard earned money?

Spring Dell Center is a private non-profit agency that dedicates its efforts to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their highest level of personal success within their communities. In essence, they work with adults to help them become productive members of society, or at least be able to make the attempt.

The Center was started by a group of Charles County parents in 1967 to assist their disabled children. It now works exclusively with adults. According to Donna Retzlaff, “Once the schools began mainstreaming children with developmental disabilities in the 1970s, our focus shifted to adults.” She stated that once out of school, the children grow up into adults, but that those developmental disabilities remain.

A large part of Spring Dell Center’s operations revolve around five thrift stores across the region. “They are a very large part of our focus, although not a huge contributor to our grossly under-funded budget,” remarked Retzlaff during a tour of the facility.

 
  David and Donna

The Center trains developmentally disabled adults to work in their retail outlets. “When they finish training they are paid to work in the stores,” said Retzlaff. Spring Dell Center operates Hooks-n-Hangars and Quality Furniture Stores, in La Plata, Use it Again, Inc., in Waldorf, West Side Thrift Store in Bryans Road and Hooks-n-Hangars in Charlotte Hall. The five thrift shops use donated merchandise to stock their showrooms. What they cannot use because of damage or disrepair is recycled.

“I don’t know why anyone would buy a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans for $49.95 when we sell them for $4.95,” remarked Retzlaff. She stated that many people perceive thrift stores as shops for poor people, but she thinks they are a great bargain for smart shoppers.

“When I’m asked how I can wear someone else’s clothes, I ask, how can they eat using a fork in a restaurant. Our donated items are cleaned and inspected before they ever go on sale. Does anyone really know how clean a restaurant fork is?” Retzlaff said.

The current economic conditions have negatively affected Spring Dell Center’s thrift operations. “Usually February and March are our biggest donation months, but now people seem to be holding on to their things just a bit longer and not donating them,” Retzlaff lamented.

According to promotional literature, the five thrift stores offer new merchandise everyday and shoppers and bargain hunters are encouraged to come by often to see what is new.

The five stores accept tax-deductible donations every day, including larger items that need to be picked up. To donate, visit any thrift store. If items are too large, call 301-934-4561 and they will come to you. The next time sticker shock strikes, visit a thrift and save some of that hard-earned money.