The benefit of having the Morden Community Thrift Store was on display again Monday with the second of its grant announcements for 2025.
There were 13 organizations presented with funds in support of various projects and initiatives, and thrift store volunteers had the opportunity to present cheques that in total added up to $150,000 going back into the community.
“We have a new building on our way, so we’re under a bit of budget constraint here now, but we are trying to do $150,000 in the spring and in the fall,” said president Kent Noel.
“Everybody, I think, that actually applied this fall actually got something … maybe not exactly what they’re after,” he noted. “We try very, very hard to give something to everybody.”
The most significant recipient was the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation, which received $50,000 towards the purchase of a neuro chair, MRI head/cervical spine coil, Obie Mobile Pro, and vests for volunteers.
STARS air ambulance received $25,000 for a ventilator for an air ambulance, while Menzies Medical Centre received $15,000 towards the doctor recruitment program.
Other grant recipients included:
• Youth for Christ: $10,000 to help with their backyard project for a gazebo, fire pit and games area.
• Many Hands Resource Centre: $10,000 for the purchasing of groceries.
• Morden Fire & Rescue: $8,000 in support of collecting fire gear, helmets, boots, breathing apparatus and other equipment for a fire department in Togo Santos, Mexico with the funds helping to cover shipping costs.
• Morden Police Service: $5,000 for nextorch flashlight, nextorch quick draw holder and streanlight flashlight.
• Morden Area Foundation: $5,000 for the health care bursary fund.
• Pembina Counselling Centre: $5,000 to help with accessible mental health services.
• Boundary Trails EMS: $5,000 for a paramedic wellness space for them to recharge, process difficult calls and give support.
• Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre: $5,000 in support of its programming and services.
• Darlingford Memorial Park: $5,000 for replacing trees.
• Community Safety Net: $2,000 for a child safety program.
It means that the Morden Community Thrift Store has handed out $300,800 in grants in 2025. Noel stressed that it is all thanks to every single person who donates, shops, or volunteers at the store.
“We put in a lot of hours here and this is what we do it for,” he said.
“It feels good in the heart actually when we’re able to give something back. Everybody who volunteers here is a gift. They give of themselves; they give their family time … I want to call it a labour of love because this is what we are here for.”
Looking ahead, Noel noted it is encouraging to see good progress being made on the construction of their new building directly east of the existing thrift store.
“It’s very exciting … it’s been a while in the works,” he said. “We’re hoping for a spring open with the new building, and then when we do go to open, this one will shut down for a little while too so we can the transition.”
The expansion will be for furniture, sporting goods, and hardware while the existing building will focus on things like housewares, clothing, and toys.
