APRIL 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Keeping our valued volunteers informed
GM’s Corner As the days grow longer and the warmth of spring begins to return, many of us feel that familiar urge to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and start a few long-awaited projects around the house. Spring has a way of getting us moving again after the quiet months of winter. For many people, that also means spring cleaning. Closets are sorted, shelves are cleared, and items that are no longer needed find their way into donation bags. What once sat unused in our homes can suddenly become something meaningful for someone else. Here at MCC Thrift, we see this rhythm of generosity every year as the weather warms. Donations begin to increase, and each item that arrives carries the possibility of new life and new purpose. What begins as a simple act of clearing space in someone’s home can become support for families, resources for communities, and funding for MCC’s work of relief, development, and peace around the world. At our house, spring also means something else. My daughter Skyla has started a new routine on evenings when the weather is nice. After I get home from work, she often asks the same question: “Can we go for a walk?” So, we head outside together and wander through the neighbourhood. We take our time noticing the nature around us, the gardens beginning to come back to life, and the beauty of the homes nearby. Along the way, Skyla and I wave to neighbours and share quick greetings with people passing by. There’s something simple but powerful about being outside, reconnecting with others and sharing small pieces of joy in our community. Spring also brings with it the season of Easter, a time that celebrates renewal, hope, and new life. As Christians, we celebrate with joy the message at the heart of Easter: He is risen! This message reminds us that even small acts of
kindness can bring light into the world. Every time you sort donations, price an item, greet a customer, tidy a shelf, or offer a kind word to someone who walks through our doors, you are helping extend that light outward into our community. Through your time and care, the work done here helps support MCC’s mission of relief, development, and peace all around the world. What begins in this shop reaches far beyond these walls. This month, we will also celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, with the theme Ignite Volunteerism. Like a spark shared from one flame to another, the kindness and generosity you bring each week continues to ignite hope in others. Thank you for being the heart of this community. Wishing you and your families a joyful Easter. He is risen!
John Himes
General Manager MCC Thrift, St. Catharines