Happy May to you! I imagine by the time you read this, the store will be blasting, records are being set and that the customers are streaming in and out with smiles on their faces. While our annual plant sale can be a very stressful and overwhelming time for all of us, I want to ask you to take a moment and close your eyes and know how incredibly grateful we as a staff are for each and every one of you. Your efforts continue to humble us, and make a real difference in the world.
I’d like to take a moment to introduce Tianna Munro to you as our new retail team member. It’s likely you will have already met her, but if not, please head on over to the store and say hello!
As always, in May an extra special thank you to those that help with the plant sale. It has become a real institution both in New Hamburg and the surrounding areas! It’s a tight time of constantly busy work and each of you give so much. On behalf of MCC, our customers and our program participants, thank YOU for all that you do.
Mark Patfield
General Manager MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre
Sun Safety Tips from Canada’s Certified Dermatologists
Living in the True North means enjoying the outdoors, but it also calls for extra attention to sun protection. Practice these sun safety habits to help protect yourself under the Canadian sun, wherever you are.
Seek shade during peak UV hours, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective sunglasses.
Apply sunscreen generously: 2–3 tablespoons for your body. A teaspoon for your face and neck. Don’t skip the easy-to-miss spots—ears, tops of feet, back of the neck—and swipe on some SPF lip balm too.
Timmins Learning Tour
August 17 – 21 in Timmins, Ontario
Reapply sunscreen after swimming, strenuous exercise or towelling off.
Try wrap-around sunglasses that offer “100% UV protection” or “UV400” to effectively shield your eyes. Baseball hats are great—for baseball. But they leave your face, ears and neck wide open. For real protection, go with a wide-brimmed hat—bonus points if it has a neck flap for full 360° shade.
Pack your bags and get ready to be inspired and learn as we embark on an exciting journey to connect and engage with organizations and partners of MCC Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours program in Timmins, Ontario. mcc.org/events/timmins-learning-tour
Shop Floor Waxing
Thanks to these amazing crews for their work on getting the store prepped for the floor waxing!
MCC Thrift is piloting a new initiative that aims to create meaningful part-time work opportunities for people in our community who face barriers to employment. Over the coming months, we’ll be testing small projects that use donated materials to create new, revenue-generating products, while also diverting items from landfills in alignment with MCC’s commitment to creation care. This work is very much a learning process, and we’ll be trying ideas, seeing what works, and adjusting as we go.
For most staff, day-to-day operations will remain largely the same, though you may notice some materials being set aside, new faces in the stores, or opportunities to share ideas or support specific activities. We’re excited about the potential to generate additional support for MCC’s work while creating new ways to include and empower people in our community, and we’ll continue to share updates and welcome your input as the initiative develops.
If you would like to talk more about this initiative please reach out to Jodi VanNoord @ jodivannoord@mcco.ca
Kind Refreshers from Human Resources
• With warm weather approaching, let’s save our well-loved sandals for off-duty days, wearing comfortable and supportive closed-toed shoes when volunteering.
• Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated, take breaks as needed, and keep your supervisor informed for self-care.
• If it’s been a while since your last orientation, feel free to register for an upcoming session—a great way to refresh and meet new faces!
Plant sale
The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre is holding a plant sale May 1-31. Be sure to stop by this popular event for plants, garden supplies and tools, and so much more.
Each episode invites perspective shifts, deeper relationships, and meaningful action—offering hope, challenge, and practical faith for a complex world. Undercurrents is now on YouTube. Host Ken Ogasawara is a skilled storyteller whos video adds depth and impact.
The April episode takes you behind the scenes at MCC Thrift shops and features a special photo of three generations connected to our shop—well worth a listen! Visit by clicking the link above.
Joke of the Month
What did the rain cloud say to the dirt?
“Play nice, or your name will be mud!”.
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale
May 29-30, 2026 at the New Hamburg Fairgrounds
Plan to make the trip to Canada’s biggest relief sale and quilt auction! There’s no shortage of things to see, do and taste at the 60th annual New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale, where funds raised support the work of MCC at home and around the world. Come for the food, stay for the auctions. See you at the fairgrounds! nhmrs.com
Pow Wows 101
May 13 (12 p.m., in-person/online) & May 14 (7 p.m., online)
MCC Indigenous Neighbours offers two sessions introducing pow wows and how to participate, helping firsttime attendees feel more comfortable. Learn more at mcc.org/pow-wow-101
Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion
Saturday, June 13 from 9am – 1pm at Six Nations Polytechnic in Oshweken, Ontario
A special community event featuring Adrian Jacobs of the Turtle Clan, Cayuga Nation, sharing on the Spiritual Covenant—a reflection on land, relationship and reconciliation. Includes a thanksgiving with strawberries— the first fruit of the season and a sacred gift in Haudenosaunee culture, as well as sharing communion and a delicious lunch together. mcc.org/strawberry-thanksgiving
Red Dress Day Art Exhibit and Call 30
May 2–16, 2026 at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo
MCC presents an exhibit for Red Dress Day (May 5), raising awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and factors behind their criminalization and harm. Includes two Call 30 activities on Indigenous women in Ontario prisons. Learn more: mcc.org/red-dress-day
