FORT MYERS, Fla. ( July 30, 2015) – The Community Thrift Store, owned and operated by Shell Point Retirement Community, recently donated surplus clothing worth $1,500 to more than 150 disadvantaged individuals living in rural areas of Haiti. Shell Point laundry supervisor Joseph Julmeus personally delivered the supplies during a trip earlier this summer.
After a particularly plentiful summer of donations, The Community Thrift Store found itself with a surplus of gently-used clothing. “The thrift store occasionally shares extra goods with other non-profit charities, in an effort to ensure that those in need can benefit from our collected donations,” said Dianne Morton, Resources and Transportation manager at Shell Point.
Around this time, Morton was approached by Julmeus. “Joseph shared that he had an upcoming missions trip to Haiti, and we immediately recognized it as the perfect opportunity to put excess resources to good use.”
Above: Julmeus visits with children in City Saye, Haiti, who are wearing clothes provided by The Community Thrift Store. (Shell Point Retirement Community)
Above: A young schoolgirl receives a Sunday dress and new shoes at a distribution center for clothing and goods in Saint Marc, Haiti. In total, more than 150 disadvantaged individuals received donated items from The Community Thrift Store. (Shell Point Retirement Community)
Julmeus transported the donated goods to Haiti and worked with a local missions organization, Missionary Enterprise, to distribute the items to those in greatest need throughout the country. More than 150 Haitians benefited from the supplies, including those who remain displaced from their homes by natural disasters.
“The need in Haiti is great, and it was my honor to present clothing from The Community Thrift Store to many thankful people,” said Julmeus. “Their gratitude was overwhelming. I hope it inspires others to give.”
About The Community Thrift Store
Since opening in 2011, The Community Thrift Store has donated a portion of its profits to nonprofit organizations, especially those that support seniors in the greater Southwest Florida community. The store is located in Miner’s Shopping Center next to Planet Fitness, on the corner of McGregor Boulevard and Gladiolus in the Iona area of South Fort Myers. Learn about upcoming “steals and deals,” by visiting the store’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thriftstoreshellpoint, or call 239-225-6529 for more information.
About Shell Point Retirement Community
Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing in an active, resort-style environment to its 2,400 residents. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access with free boat dockage, and other recreational facilities. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.
