Community Corner

Friends of Matheny Thrift Shop Sets New Record

Shop offers deals while supporting a hospital and school that is widely known for care of those with severe developmental disabilities.

The Friends of Matheny’s Second Chance Shop, which closed for the summer last Friday, has set a new record for the 2012-2013 season, reaching $126,036.08 in receipts.

Funds raised by the Second Chance Shop in Peapack-Gladstone help support a variety of activities and programs at the nearby Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital and educational facility for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.

The shop is entirely run by volunteers and stocked by donations.

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This was the shop’s first year in a building adjacent to the Gladstone United Methodist Church at 4 Church St. in Gladstone, after operating for several years out of the church’s basement. Since its inception in 1983, The Friends of Matheny has raised more than $3 million to contribute to programs that serve students, inpatients and outpatients at Matheny.

This year's sales represent the thrift shop's largest total ever, and a 48% increase over the previous year’s $85,000. The previous high was achieved in the 2006-07 season when the shop earned $105,275.58.

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One of the last shoppers last Friday was Janet Stiles of Far Hills, who bought some clothes and a very unusual wooden holder for pots and pans.

Stiles says she is regular shopper at the Thrift Shop. “I stop in here quite frequently to check things out.”

Recognition for best shift of the week for the last week of the season, according to shop manager Linda Horton, went to volunteers Jo Badger and Sue Casarez, both residents of Peapack-Gladstone, who chalked up sales of $478.52.

The Second Chance shop will reopen for a season preview for one day on August 22, an event known as “First Chance at Second Chance.”  Then, it will reopen permanently for on Sept. 4 for 2012-13.

During the season, there are almost 120 volunteers on a regular basis, said Matheny spokesman Sanford Josephson.

Donations are taken on Mondays only, and that will probably begin again on Monday, Sept. 17, he said. If anyone has any questions about volunteering or how to donate, they should contact Gail Cunningham at volunteers@matheny.org or (908) 234-0011, ext. 282.


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