giving back
THRIFT SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE By Dawn Klavon
I
n 2012, singer Macklemore brought finding a deal into vogue with his pop hit, “Thrift Shop.” Millions were singing about “‘poppin’ tags with $20 in my pocket.”
“For me, it’s kind of like treasure hunting,” said Audrey Mascarenhas, a Bristow, Virginia resident and longtime thrift shopper. “I love the anticipation and possibility of finding a diamond in the rough.”
Shopping Locally for a Cause Prince William is chock full of nonprofit organizations that offer retail thrift shops with steals and deals for the masses to enjoy. Proceeds from the thrift stores go to help economically disadvantaged, elderly, and disabled individuals through a variety of resourceful organizations. Bristow resident Allyson Austin and family are fans of the sport of thrifting. She described her college-age daughters transforming a baby’s changing table into a kitchen island by placing a marble remnant on top. “It looked really nice,” Austin said, “and the girls spent $15 on it!”
“I was able to find clothes — some designer clothes with tags — and we put together some really cute outfits for her,” Austin said. “She was like, ‘Wow!’, and I was like, ‘Yeah, you just have to dig in.’” Next time you have a free afternoon, consider digging deep in one or two or three of PWC’s best thrift shops — you’ll be shopping for a cause and getting more for less. Not all thrift shops are nonprofit, but the following Prince William shops are 501 (c)(3) organizations, striving to make a difference in our community.
Local Nonprofit Thrift Stores Goodwill Dale City Retail Center & Donation Center 2950 Dale Blvd., Dale City, 703-986-3976 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Goodwill Liberia Avenue Manassas Retail Center & Donation Center
Spending money in nonprofit thrift stores offers opportunities to help others while getting something for yourself, as well as reusing items that may otherwise be discarded.
9769 Liberia Ave, Manassas, 571-921-4194 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
“It’s really the icing on the cake that shopping at these stores helps you give back to society,” said Mascarenhas. “I think it’s such a win-win for everyone; I also like the fact that it gives things a second lease on life.”
Goodwill Sudley Road Manassas Retail Center & Donation Center
Thrift shopping helps people with second chances in many ways, Austin said, pointing out that stores use proceeds to help the less fortunate, and some shoppers seek low-priced fashions to start over in their own lives. Austin described taking a newly divorced friend thrifting to find business attire for her new job.
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June 2022 prince william living
8014 Sudley Rd., Manassas, 703-551-3200 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
