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Save money, save space

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matt Davis
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Shaw Air Force Base Thrift Store serves everyone on Shaw with a variety of merchandise to choose from. 

Whether you are looking for gently-used clothes, household items or furniture, the thrift shop has many opportunities for you to save money.

Linda Watson, thrift shop manager, said the shop depends on volunteers to operate the store. She said both the Officers' and the Enlisted Spouses Clubs are extremely grateful to the 15 to 20 volunteers per month who make it happen.

"It's a huge benefit to meet many people on base we wouldn't usually meet through our squadrons," said Charlotte Teel, an assistant manager at the shop and wife of 1st Lt. Jeffrey Teel from the 79th Fighter Squadron.

The thrift shop is sponsored by the OSC and the ESC. Each club receives 50 percent of the money generated by the shop, and all of the money is used for charitable and educational purposes.

The clubs gave out $12,000 in scholarships this year and donated funds to many charitable organizations.

Another option the shop offers customers is to consign items for sale. The consignor receives 70 percent of the sale price and the shop receives 30 percent. According to Watson, consignment items bring in a large portion of the thrift shop income. 

You must have a valid military or Department of Defense ID card to consign. 

"It's a great way for individuals to get rid of things they don't use, make some money for themselves and provide customers with some great buys," Watson said.

The shop also depends heavily upon the generous donations from individuals throughout the base and local community. Donations may be made in person at the shop or dropped off at the donation bin located in the shop parking lot.

The thrift shop is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization so individuals may receive tax donation receipts for their contributions.

The hours of operation for the shop are Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and every second Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Take the time to stop by the Thrift Shop and see what they have to offer. It's a great place to shop, to consign items or to volunteer.