Clinton Township Newsletter

2 0 n o v e m b e r 2 0 2 4 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Happy Welcome to with Rachel Sprague * C linton ree Questions * It's the season for some extra 'gratitude in your attitude' and for some giving back, and what better way than to help others than through shopping? Or by donating goods with a lot of life left in them, simultaneously helping others, yourself, and the planet! This month C3Q spoke with Veronica Whitehead, Manager of the new Clinton ReStore at 24 Main Street. C3Q: You just celebrated one month in Clinton at your new location at 24 Main Street! Congrats! Can you tell us more about ReStore? What is it? How is it connected to Habitat for Humanity? VW: We are affiliated with t h e R a r i t a n Valley Habitat for Humanity which covers both Hunterdon and Somerset County. Presently, there is a large ReStore storefront in Manville, and when space became available in Clinton, we decided to open a small, boutique ReStore on Main Street in Clinton. There are only a few others like it in the country. Everything in the store is 100% donated, and the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity to help build a home for someone in need. Each state has Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and the homes that we build through Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity go towards building homes specifically for Somerset and Hunterdon County families in those areas. C3Q: What kind of goods can be dropped off, and where and when? What happens to an item if it doesn't sell? What are the m o s t c o m m o n m i s t a k e s p e o p l e m a k e f o r d o n a t e d items? V W : R i g h t n o w because we're so new, we're primarily taking donations during business hours, which are Tuesday through Friday, 10-6. People can bring items right in through the front door. We take very gently used items such as men and women's clothing, children's clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry, home decor and artwork. We are discerning about what we accept; we want to fit in with the local shops and maintain a "boutique" small-business feel, with the mission of reselling in mind. The way I kind of look at it is; if I wouldn't pay money to buy it, we wouldn't carry it in our store. There are lots of charities for bulk dropoff for other items as well as stained, stretched, more worn-out clothing, but those are not the sort of things we can accept, along with electronics, etc. As far as furniture and housewares, we accept items with the guideline of if an item fits easily in and out of the car with one individual transporting it on their own. We have to keep in mind that we are a small space. However, if you are looking to donate a larger item, the Manville location takes larger items. If you go online to our website, there is a donation section, and you can make an appointment. The Manville branch can pick up larger furniture for donation if an individual can't move or deliver it themselves. Sometimes, we run donation events, such as last month when ReStore partnered with Unity Bank. We had a large donation drive and a Habitat truck in their parking lot, and larger items were accepted at the event. If the item doesn't sell, we drastically reduce the price. We also work with other ReStores, and coordinate with them to sell objects there. An object that doesn't sell right away in Clinton might still have a second life at another location. We don't have a need for hangers or bags, and we prefer seasonally-appropriate donations due to storage. Right now, we are taking fall and winter and holiday items. Thrifting is really big right now. C3Q: That's so fantastic! How can people volunteer or be involved with ReStore or Habitat for Humanity? VW: We're looking for people who are willing to help! We are in need of volunteers who are willing to come into the store and help process donations. We don't have a lot of space, so we like to process things as quickly as possible. Volunteers help customers, stock the shelves, and help be a presence in the store. There are so many volunteer opportunities available, and they are listed on our website. Volunteers are needed for not just the store, but also for helping with community events, such as Dickens Days, Red Mill Christmas Village, or large donation events. There are also opportunities to help with the current Habitat for Humanity build. Volunteer shifts at the store are generally four hours, but we can work with flexible schedules as well and plug people in where we need them. High Schoolers and volunteers over age fourteen who are looking for community service hours are totally welcome. We had a fantastic first month here; people and local businesses have been so positive and helpful. So many people have stopped by and said how glad they are that we are here, and we *are* so glad to be here, and to contribute. Habitat for Humanity is a fantastic organization, and they are building homes for people, which is super important, because that could be any one of us at any time. Everyone deserves a decent place to live. C3Q: Thank you so much Veronica, can't wait to shop at ReStore! You can find more information here https://www.facebook.com/ HabitatReStoreClintonNJ and at https://rvhabitatrestore.org n Local residents Rachel Sprague and her husband Russell are raising their two young children in Annandale. She thinks that Clinton Township is a delightful place to live.

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