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REACH Thrift Store recognizes volunteer
The REACH Thrift Store and Boutique celebrates a five-year milestone this month.
Faithful volunteer Betty Densmore has been working there for five years.
Densmore
Densmore began her service when the Thrift Store was still located on Mill Street in downtown Sylva.
“We had just started a boutique department, open on Wednesdays,” said manager Norma McClure.
“At that time each item was ironed before being put on display for sale in the boutique. That was Betty’s job,” said McClure.
As the boutique grew in popularity and in the number of specialty items donated, Densmore’s workload became too massive for ironing so she switched to the use of a professional steamer.
“Besides overseeing the boutique selection, steaming and hanging each item, Betty will clean and repair any piece of clothing that is especially nice and just needs an extra special touch,” McClure said.
“Betty is a very valuable woman and ‘mom’ to a lot of people. She is there anytime you need her,” said McClure, noting Densmore works more than 40 hours per week. “We couldn’t run the store without her.”
Misty Stephens, assistant store manager, calls Densmore “one of the most dependable and committed people I know.”
“Betty has incredible energy and can run circles around people half her age,” said one REACH board member. “She embraces the cause of REACH and understands how the dollars from the Thrift Store go to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.”
“There’s always lots to learn,” said Densmore, who calls her volunteer job “an enjoyable experience.”
Densmore still finds time to be an active member of the Kiwanis Club and the Golden Age Club. She volunteered at the Community Table before she made the REACH Boutique her new “home.”
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