JANUARY 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Keeping our valued volunteers informed
GM’s Corner In 2025: • We served over 155,000 customers through the cash. • We processed over 1,050,000 items. • We sold over 900,000 items. • We welcomed 55 new volunteers who started serving with us in 2025. • We have had over 350 individual volunteers serve with us in 2025. • The MCC meat cannery was completed and starting production.
As we head into 2026, I want to say a special thank you to each of you. All of the results and the outcomes in the shop are because of you. You are the essential part of the shop, and it is the truth that nothing could happen here without you and your time and efforts. Each and every role is important and each and every role directly touches the lives of those impacted by the MCC programming. As a staff and as an organization, we say thank you. We hope you have a happy, prosperous and faithful 2026!
Mark Patfield
General Manager MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre
Overall, it has been a truly amazing year, and the outcomes humble us!
Who is Laura Pethick, Volunteer Engagement Manager I am delighted to join The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre team. My name is Laura Pethick and I will be your new Volunteer Engagement Manager. I bring more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, volunteer leadership, community engagement, and relationshipbuilding across Southwestern Ontario. I have spent 12 years with the Canadian Cancer Society as the Huron-Perth Community Fundraising Specialist, where I led campaigns and events such as Relay For Life and Breast Cancer Walks that raised over $7 million and supported more than 600 volunteers. I have also coordinated successful fundraising initiatives for PHSS Medical and Complex Care in Community, including major events such as golf tournaments and Bowl-A-Thons. Earlier in my career, I held leadership roles in sales, marketing, and nonprofit program development, giving me a well-rounded foundation
in communications, donor stewardship, and team support. I have been married for 17 years and I have two teenage daughters. Both daughters play competitive hockey so when I am not at work you are most likely to find me at the rink. I also love to go camping and play volleyball. I am known for having a collaborative spirit and passion for community service, and I have been deeply involved in local volunteerism. I am excited to connect with the MCC Thrift volunteer community and help foster a welcoming, mission-driven environment rooted in service, compassion, and sustainability.
Laura Pethick
Volunteer Engagement Manager MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre
JANUARY 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Safety Corner This one is a bit different as it’s something that hits close to home for so many of us. Scams – both on the phone, on the internet and in real life – are everywhere. They’re becoming more sophisticated and challenging to catch. I encourage you to be careful at all times, and to communicate with family and friends to be on the safe side. On a personal note, I can 100% guarantee you that the famous person texting, calling or messaging you online is not really the celebrity… and they are after your money. Here are some tips I’ve found online to help keep you safe. Tips and safeguards • Keep all personal documents in a secure place. If you don’t need them, do not carry your birth certificate, passport or SIN card. • Never tell another person your PIN or account passwords and take care to cover your hand when entering your PIN at bank machines and when making store purchases. • Safely dispose of old bills and statements – shredding is best.
• Do not click on pop-up windows or respond to e-mails, open attachments or go to website links sent by people you do not know. Your bank or credit union will not send you anything by email unless you ask them to. • Never give out your credit card, bank account, or personal information to someone over the phone, at the door, or over the internet unless you know the person or organization you are dealing with, or you made the contact. • Do not sign an agreement or contract to buy anything without giving yourself time to think it over. If a salesperson insists that an “offer” is “time-limited” and you must decide in that moment, it is probably better not to buy. • Be suspicious if someone you don’t know asks you to send them money or a cheque, or to return money they “accidentally” sent you. • Before hiring someone or agreeing to have work done on your home, ask for proof of identity and references and check them. www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/ seniors-forum-federal-provincial-territorial/fraud-scams.html
Be an Active Bystander Join our Training Active Bystanders (TAB) workshop and learn practical ways to respond to harmful or isolating behaviour in everyday life. Date: January 19, 2026 | Time: 1:30–4:00 PM ET | Online - Zoom MCC Ontario does not expect volunteers to enter unsafe situations— TAB is about building confidence for everyday scenarios. Register here: bit.ly/TABJan2026
Sewing help needed! MCC recently received a donation of matched tops and backs that require extra fabric to be sewn on the back in order for comforters to be prepared for shipment. Volunteers have been working through them at the MCC Hub, but we need some help! If you or your sewing group would like to help, please contact Alecia Weber (aleciaweber@mcco.ca) or stop by the MCC Hub (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) to pick up material while supplies last. Thanks in advance!
JANUARY 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Volunteer Openings Does someone you know have a heart for service like you and a few hours to spare? We’re looking to fill some volunteer openings. Get in touch with Mark Patfield by email (markpatfield@mcco.ca) or by phone (519-662-2867). Retail Floor Support: Volunteers needed to assist with tidying up the store. Tuesday morning from 9 am to 12 pm Every other Thursday afternoon from 4 pm to 8 pm Cashier: No experience needed Wednesday afternoon from 5 pm to 6 pm Clothing Sorters: Do you enjoy fashion? Have an eye for labels and trends? We are looking for volunteers to do clothing sorting. Monday afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm Tuesday afternoon from 1 pm to 4 pm Friday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm and afternoons 1 pm to 4 pm. Receivers: Greet our valued donors at the back door to accept goods. Good customer service and stamina required. Wednesday afternoon 1 pm to 5 pm Thursday evening from 4 pm to 8 pm Friday evening from 4 pm to 8 pm Friday and Saturday afternoon 1 pm to 5 pm
January BIRTHDAYS Mary Koch Shirley Frenette Rosella Leis John Ilett Jean Rickert Ann Mark Blanche Moser Donald Yantzi Debbie Sabbadin Mary Ellen Zehr Liam Schieckoff Ruth Howling Bob Good Shirley Gingerich
1/1 Books Stationary - Greeting Cards 1/3 1/3 Retail Floor Support 1/5 Receiving 1/8 Clothing & Housewares 1/10 Retail Floor Support 1/11 Retail Floor Support 1/12 Recycling - Metal 1/13 Retail Floor Support 1/14 Retail Floor Support 1/14 Receiving 1/15 Retail Floor Support 1/16 Receiving 1/16 Wipes
Jacquie Zoeller Cashier - Plant Sale Merrin Thomson Cashier Ashley Drudge Retail Floor Support Annette Gimbel Housewares - Pricing Elizabeth (Liz) Diebolt Clothing - Sorting Denny Thomas Receiving Marli Engeland Retail Floor Support Doreen Shantz Cashier Dan O’Hagan Receiving Haydn Wiley Receiving Donna KelterbornRetail Floor Support Cynthia Jeanes Cashier Mila Reusser Crafts
1/17 1/19 1/21 1/22 1/23 1/23 1/24 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/27 1/28 1/31
JANUARY 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Yulia’s Story of Resilience and Giving Back Yulia came to Canada very recently after the war in Ukraine made it nearly impossible for her family to remain in their home. She was grateful to find work quickly and began building a new life with her husband and young daughter. Although Yulia had never heard of MCC before, when her employer, Sony Interactive Entertainment, offered an opportunity to volunteer by packing hygiene kits, she felt strongly drawn to participate. During her visit and tour in 2025, she was deeply moved by MCC’s ongoing work to support those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. Through tears, Yulia shared her own experience of being on the receiving end of emergency supplies like these. She thanked MCC many times and explained that you cannot truly understand what it means to receive such items in a time of great need. The work you are doing in our Thrift shop is making it possible for Yulia and others in Ukraine to receive relief and hygiene kits, comforters and canned meat in a time of uncertainty.
Anna and her son receive food relief through an MCC partner in Ukraine, similar to Yulia’s experience. New Life Charitable Fund Photo/Pavlo Dariichuk
Your Voice Matters: Share Your Volunteer Experience! The MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey is Still Open! Thank you to everyone who has already completed the MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to share your thoughts and experiences as a volunteer with MCC Ontario. How to participate: • Complete the survey online: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCOVolunteerSurvey2025 • Or ask your MCC staff contact for a printed copy. The survey closes on January 31, 2026. Your feedback helps us shape an excellent volunteer experience. Thank you for all you do with MCC Ontario!
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal Each year, a talented individual or team creates a feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale, where hundreds of quilts are auctioned off in support of MCC. On January 27 at 9:30 a.m., the 2026 feature quilt will be unveiled! Join us in person in the foyer of Thrift on Kent in Kitchener for this exciting moment.