I landed on my backside recently, while crossing an intersection on a street covered with slick, hardened snow. My keys were in one hand, computer bag in the other, and my backpack was slung over my shoulder. When I decided to cross, I was alert to the fact that an approaching car was a safe distance away. In the seconds between landing horizontal and hobbling across the remainder of the street, I experienced shock, pain, and acute awareness that the driver had headlights shining on what could have been a viral blooper reel.
Once home, my son, who is in a college Athletic Therapy program, took the opportunity to do an assessment, determining the extent of damage I had incurred, and what adjustments may be required.
Road conditions, weather, footwear, and inattention contributed to my mishap. The follow-up assessment ensured that I took any necessary action.
At Thrift on Kent, it’s important that we pay attention to and assess the conditions we’re working in. The Health and Safety of all who enter our building must be a top priority. We’ve been identifying some ongoing challenges in our workroom, contributing to hazards, impacting workflow, and resulting in tight workspaces.
Our assessment is that some changes are needed and that it seems prudent to make these happen in March, our slower season. We anticipate little impact to your weekly volunteering routine. However, within the next couple of weeks, you will notice workstations and racking being moved to create better workspace, storage areas, and safer conditions. Some work areas will be more affected than others. Luke Cotie, our Assistant Manager (Workroom), has given a lot of thought to this new layout. He, along with our staff team plan to complete the change by March 14. Your feedback in the weeks following will be appreciated as we evaluate and then make any necessary tweaks.
Thank you for bearing with us through the “pain” of making necessary adjustments to ensure the continued health and success of Thrift on Kent. And thank you for your ongoing attention to the wellbeing of the people around you while you volunteer. Let’s keep the viral blooper reels from happening in our Shop!
Tim Albrecht General Manager MCC Thrift on Kent
Staff Highlight: What do you know about Joanie?
Joanie started volunteering at the New Hamburg Thrift Centre when her youngest son was 3 years old. He is now 35! She joined the board later on and didn’t particularly enjoy it. So, when a position opened for Softline, she applied and got the job. It was 2 days a week and wasn’t a paid position, but she received a stipend for her work. She remembers when the store made $1,000 in a day and was considered amazing income for Thrift!
In her free time, Joanie likes to hike, cycle, cross-country ski and read.
Welcome!
Have you met any of our new volunteers? (Those who have started since January). We have shown you who is new by their shifts, so you can note who is new on your shift and help us to welcome them!
Karen (receiving)
Bette (housewares)
Karen (receiving)
(receiving)
Mildred (toys)
Metty (retail) (receiving)
Audrey (retail)
New Retail Staff Interview
We are thrilled to have Amber joining our staff team! She is well known around here, having volunteered with us since 2023, and having been one of our seasonal staff this past fall. I asked her a couple questions about herself, so we can get to know her a bit. Amber was first introduced to MCC Thrift as a teenager when she and her mom would go to New Hamburg to shop thrift, and then go to Ten Thousand Villages for some chocolate. This started her interest in thrift shops, and her introduction to MCC. When she has time, she likes to bake cakes and decorate them. She finds this a relaxing activity to relieve stress. She has a passion for movies of all genres. Join us in welcoming her to our team!
Welcome Taka Mundure, Community Engagement and Outreach Associate
Taka joins Jane Iwodi in a Part-Time role (equivalent of 3 days per week) as a Community Engagement and Outreach Associate, which is part of MCC’s Walking with People in Poverty Program. Taka and Jane will continue this important work with a strong connection to Thrift on Kent, employing peacebuilding skills and developing relationships. This role exists to create and maintain a safe, welcoming, and dignified environment for marginalized and unhoused community members, volunteers, staff, and shoppers. The role is rooted in
harm reduction, relationship building, and community safety, not surveillance or enforcement. The primary focus is to support individuals in meeting their needs appropriately, encouraging respectful engagement, and ensuring safety for everyone in the space.
World Down Syndrome Day: March 21
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day! We have a number of fabulous volunteers here at TOK who have Down Syndrome, and we celebrate all they have to offer!
Allie Allison Brittany Lucas Ryan Salem Sean Tony
World Down Syndrome Day: March 21
Volunteer Interview
Brittany Franks has been volunteering with us, hanging women’s fashion for almost 8 years! I asked her a few questions to get to know her better.
What do you like about volunteering at Thrift on Kent?
I like to help other people. I enjoy working in women’s fashion. I like the snacks at break and socializing with other volunteers, especially the community BBQ and potlucks.
What are your hobbies?
I like to do adult colouring at my community centre, fitness boxing with Fierce n’ Fitness and joining my friends at Coffee Club. I do Out and About activities with KW Hab and we do lots of fun things in the community.
I love to have parties with my family and friends and go to Wasaga Beach in the summer.
What are your favourite foods?
Well, everything except spicy food. I really love cheeseburgers, meatballs and chicken tenders!
What was your favourite holiday? Do you have any holidays planned for this year?
My favourite holiday was going to Disney , and I have gone on a couple of cruises too, which I loved. I plan on going to my cottage this year as much as I can, because I love going there.
Colourful Socks
We encourage all volunteers to wear colourful socks – and show them off – the week of March 16-21 to raise awareness of Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is caused by a 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome –which is why it is celebrated on the 21st day of the 3rd month of the year. Under a microscope, chromosomes look like striped socks – thus the movement to wear colourful socks on this day. Don’t own a pair of colourful socks? I know just the place that sells them. :) Photos taken from our own fabulous Thrift shop!
BIRTHDAYS March
Tony (clothing)
Britany (media)
Alyssa (retail)
Linda (clothing)
Bill (books)
Lucas (clothing)
Ann W. (cash)
Susan (linens)
Gerd (electrical)
Robin (media/books)
Spencer (receiving)
David (electrical)
Ivan (receiving)
Mary (crafts/stationary)
Michelle (retail)
Thank yous and Shout-outs!
Is there someone who you want to give a shout-out to? Let Jan, Luke, Tim or Giselle know and we will include it in next month’s newsletter.
Big thanks to our Volunteer Events Committee for making the nuts and bolts for Valentine’s week!
Patti wants to say a big thank you to Joel, Agabus, Bishal and Luke for moving a horribly heavy table for her. Hooray for teamwork!!
St. Patrick’s Day fun!
The week of St. Patrick’s Day, please wear green, and look for puzzles to enjoy on your break. The staff are getting into the spirit!
A legacy of giving our best
At the MCC Hub in New Hamburg, Thrift and Material Resources (kit packing and distribution) share space. The connection between Thrift and aid distribution goes back decades, though. Learn how they are connected in the latest episode of Undercurrents (MCC Ontario’s podcast) and get a behind-the-scenes look at everything that takes place at the MCC Hub. Watch the video for the full experience here: mcc.org/our-stories/undercurrentsep-32-giving-our-best
International Women’s Day – March 8th
Some of you may not know that Michelle Brenneman is the Executive Director of MCC Ontario. I sent her some questions about being a female leader.
When did you first start to see yourself as a leader?
As a young person, I recognized leadership tendencies within myself. I was often drawn to shaping ideas, supporting others, and thoughtfully influencing decisions. What took longer was learning how to step into leadership in more public and visible ways, by owning my voice, taking responsibility in larger spaces, and becoming comfortable being seen as a leader, not just a contributor. That understanding grew gradually, shaped by experience, encouragement from others, and opportunities to learn along the way.
Do you think women bring different strengths or perspectives to leadership? What are these?
We all bring valuable perspectives to leadership that are shaped by our lived experience. For women, that often means strengths in collaboration, listening, and attentiveness to how decisions affect people. Many women leaders are skilled at holding complexity, leading with empathy, and navigating systems that weren’t designed with them in mind. Organizations are stronger when a diversity of voices and experiences shapes decisions, and women’s leadership is an essential part of that.
Did you have female mentors or sponsors along the way? How did they influence your career?
I am grateful for the women who have played an important role in my leadership journey. Mentors helped normalize challenges and build confidence by sharing their own experiences, while sponsors advocated for me and encouraged me to step into opportunities I wasn’t always sure I was ready for. That combination of honesty, encouragement, and support helped me grow into leadership with greater confidence and clarity.
What challenges have you faced as a woman leading an organization? (Have you ever encountered bias or stereotypes, and how did you navigate them?)
Like many women leaders, I have experienced a variety of challenges. Sometimes it is assumptions about my leadership style or having my credibility questioned, and more often quieter, unspoken expectations about whose voices carry weight. I’ve learned to navigate this by staying grounded in my values, being clear about my purpose and thoughtful about when it’s important to address bias directly, and when it’s wiser to let things go. Along the way, I also try to be mindful of how I lead, and to help create more open and inclusive spaces for others.
What responsibility do leaders have to support the next generation of women?
One of the most important things leaders can do is make the path a little clearer than it was for us. That means paying attention to who is being encouraged and stepping in to mentor, advocate, and open doors when we can. Supporting the next generation of women also means helping women trust their voices and leadership gifts, take risks, and know they don’t have to fit a single mold to succeed.
How do you feel MCC works for Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls (UN theme for this year)? Does MCC have programs or supports that specifically seek to empower women here and around the world?
I’m grateful that MCC is committed to gender equity and social inclusion across all its work, seeking to ensure women and girls are not only protected, but empowered to participate fully in shaping their communities.
This includes supporting partners around the world who address barriers to education, health, dignity, and peacebuilding for women and girls, as well as advocacy and justice work here in Canada. For me, MCC’s approach reflects the heart of the UN theme: rights that are affirmed, justice that is pursued, and action that is taken—together with women and girls, not on their behalf.
Interview with Michelle Brenneman
MCC in Ukraine
As the war passed its fourth year, Ukraine is a country filled with heartache and hope — heartache with the lives that have been taken and buildings that have been destroyed, and hope that the war will soon end.
Kateryna longed to protect her daughter Polina and give her a childhood despite the war. Feeling helpless, she reached out to MCC partner Reimer Center, where she finally felt understood. Polina began horse therapy (see photo), slowly learning to trust as she discovered how horses sense emotions. The first time she sat in the saddle, her face lit up.
Kateryna saw her daughter come alive again— smiling, sincere, and truly a child.
MCC and MCC partners continue to support
Save
Ukrainians like Kateryna and her daughter with emergency food and mental health support. Read the latest MCC story from Ukraine: mcc.org/our-stories/learning-cope-adapt-ukrainefourth-anniversary-invasion-looms
the date: New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Promotion Dinner
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is holding a fundraising dinner to offset the operating costs of the sale so that more funds can be forwarded to MCC after the sale. Enjoy a delicious catered meal with dessert, as well as musical entertainment. Mark your calendars for Monday, April 27th in St. Jacobs. Registration opens in March.
