Philanthropy | Westminster Village at Dover
Since 2006, Westminster Village in Dover, DE, has been transforming second-hand treasures into meaningful community impact. What began quite humbly as an unused closet has grown into a thriving stand-alone thrift shop that now offers housewares, clothing, kitchenware, furniture, electronics, and décor to residents, team members, and the greater Dover community. Today, nearly 30 dedicated volunteers contribute an impressive 2,000 hours each year to receive, clean, price, and sell donated items. Their collective commitment ensures that everything that comes through the door finds its way to someone who needs it. As they like to say, everything goes somewhere that will help. It’s people supporting people, in the truest sense.
The Shop provides a convenient way for Westminster Village residents and supporters to pass along items they no longer need, keeping them out of landfills and putting them into the hands of neighbors. For the broader Dover area, the Shop offers better quality and better priced items than any other thrift store around. And even when something doesn’t sell, it still moves on to make a difference through donations to a local church’s Free Closet, the Vietnam Veterans organization, or Habitat for Humanity.
Every volunteer plays an essential role, bringing their unique talents to the team. Serena Leiser, for example, has become the resident expert in jewelry. “I love doing the research to keep my mind active,” she shared. She also leads a team who sorts, prices and displays the clothing. “The social time together going through the donations is hard work, but we make it fun as well.”
When asked what additional support might help their efforts, the volunteers traded glances until someone offered, “We would love to have a little more space.”
“NO, we wouldn’t!!!” came a quick and spirited reply, followed by laughter all around.
Their camaraderie is as much a part of the Shop’s success as the treasures on the shelves. Together, they have built something far larger than a thrift store...they’ve built a place where generosity, community, and purpose all meet.
Want to support Westminster Village as well? Make a donation today!