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In search of driver and crew

New Life Thrift seeks volunteers to pick up, deliver goods
January 14, 2017

Usually known for helping those who are last, least and lost in the community, this time New Life Thrift Shop is in need of help.

At present, Dave Norton is the only driver available to deliver furniture and pick up donated items that are too big to fit in a standard vehicle.

Before they lost a second driver and crew, deliveries were made twice a week. With only one crew, the thrift shop picks up and delivers only once a week, completing eight stops in about four hours each Tuesday.

"An important requirement of the driver and helpers is not just the physical aspect of the work, but that the deliveries are made in the spirit of service," says Norton,

"We want to leave the customer feeling good about the interaction; sometimes that means working around the dog, or plugging in a lamp with gratitude."

There is no special license required, just a knowledge of how to drive a 30-foot box truck, strength to lift 40 pounds, a cooperative attitude, and the ability to find one's way around the area.

They have a GPS, but a general knowledge of Sussex County and how to find rural addresses is helpful.

A full crew consists of a driver and two helpers. Norton added, "It's good to have someone on the truck who is under 60."

LOCAL CHARITIES
SUPPORTED BY LRAC
• Community Resource Center
• Casa San Francisco
• Habitat for Humanity
• Cape Henlopen Food Basket
• Children & Families First
• Home of the Brave
• International Student Outreach Program
• Jusst Sooup Ministry
• Lewes After-School Program
• Meals on Wheels
• LRAC Prison Ministry
• St. Vincent DePaul Society
• The Way Home
• West Side New Beginnings

The thrift shop, a fundraiser for Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches, helps those in need and contributes to the welfare of the community.

It's giving goods to those who cannot afford to buy, selling to those who can afford good-quality products at a low price, and accepting donations from those who no longer need the items.

With only one crew, Peg Schwarz-Green, manager of New Life Thrift Shop, is worried that they will lose donations because of the backlog, so two crews of one driver and two helpers is preferred. The drivers are volunteers, while some helpers are compensated for their community service requirement.

For details and to apply, call Schwarz-Green at 302-644-0171 or email nlts.manager@gmail.com.

All New Life Thrift Shop funds, except for the salary of a store manager and cost of the facility, are divided among charities in the local community.

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