ROCHELLE — Since opening for business eight years ago, proceeds from the Hope Chest thrift store in Rochelle have helped HOPE of Ogle County continue to provide essential services to domestic abuse survivors.

Ruth Carter, Executive Director for HOPE of Ogle County, explained the store’s development was partly in response to Dept. of Human Services funding cuts in 2009. Just this year the domestic violence agency needed to rely on funding from the store’s sales during the state’s budget crisis.

The services HOPE of Ogle County provides to men, women, and children include individual and support group counseling, Latina advocacy, emergency shelter, court advocacy, and crisis intervention.

“The Hope Chest thrift store opened through the assistance of the HOPE of Ogle County Board of Directors. The Board Treasurer, Carolyn Neal, was instrumental in moving the Hope Chest store to fruition,” Carter began. “From the beginning, the store has been lovingly cared for by HOPE board members, thrift store staff and volunteer champions.”

Over the years the generous donations and patronage from the community have played an integral part of helping to fund HOPE of Ogle County. An equally important role has been the amount of hard work that goes into preparing each and every item donated.

More than meets the eye

At first glance visitors to the store see seasonal décor, row after row of color coordinated clothes, accessories, housewares, and plenty of trinkets and knick-knacks on display. Shelves lining the walls on either side of the store display items, and further back are books, games, and movies. Separate rooms house kids’ wear, mens’ wear and shoes and bedding.

Behind the scenes four employees and many volunteers (approximately 30 volunteers each year) make the store run smoothly with each playing a vital role in processing, sorting, washing, and preparing along with displaying and checking out patrons during a sale.

The store’s busiest time of year, according to manager Naomi Mortell, is when it is time to switch out the seasons for the clothes, which typically takes about eight weeks.

“We have several rows in the far end of the basement for hanging the “new” season’s clothes before we can put them up,” Mortell said. “It takes several weeks to prepare for what we have named ‘The Flip’, and that is when we are most desperate for volunteers. Our typical daily tasks get pushed to the side so we can hang and steam enough clothes to fill the entire upstairs of the store.”

The process

Mortell explained the process begins with dividing donations into categories of adult clothes, kids’ clothes, shoes, toys, housewares, books, games, video games, movies, linens, crafts, and jewelry. From there it is determined if those items will be stocked for sale or donated to other organizations such as Helping Hands or Goodwill. Some items will be recycled.

The items will then be cleaned and housewares will be wiped down with a cleaning spray. If necessary, clothes are washed. Mortell said all toys get a thorough cleaning and shoes get scrubbed.

All of this happens in the lower level of the store, which encompasses a vast amount of space that is nearly filled with items needing to be processed or items stored in the off-season. There are shelves with décor for every holiday throughout the year as well, all waiting until it’s time to be sold.

The clothes are further sorted by gender, size, type of item, and season. Out of season items are placed in large bags and stored until the change of season. In-season items are hung and steamed, then sorted by color and brought upstairs, placed on racks and ready to sell.

Mortell explained the housewares are a large part of the store with several varying categories.

“It all gets sorted and priced according to what the store employees thinks is appropriate. It’s probably the most interesting but hardest job in the store when pricing because the items vary so much,” Mortell said.

The most wonderful time of the year

When it is time to decorate for the Christmas season, Mortell explained the store sells donated trees and ornaments in a creative way, complete with all of the trimmings. The season also has additional challenges in order to make all of the items fit in the display areas.

“We have a few highly-skilled ladies come and volunteer their time and turn these used/donated items into beautiful masterpieces,” Mortell explained. “They are able to recognize and visualize what they want to do with all of the random items and they do a fantastic job. It really makes our store look great around the holidays. It’s very bittersweet when the trees actually sell.”

Get ‘em while they’re hot

Regular patrons to Hope Chest know there is always something new. Antiques, pots and pans, and several types of clothing sell rather quickly. Because the items are all priced to sell, the stock revolves constantly.

“We have end-of-season sales to help us get rid of things, but all of the good items sell fast so we recommend people just stop in regularly to find the best treasures,” Mortell. “We technically restock daily but what gets restocked varies depending on what’s been selling, what we have ready, and what’s in season.”

Anyone interested in donating is asked to bring the items between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Mortell said that unfortunately if items are left outside of those times, they are subject to weather conditions, being destroyed by animals, or pilfered.

Although the donations are greatly appreciated, Mortell explained they do get broken, ripped, and permanently stained clothes, which just end up in the dumpster.

The store does not accept computers, televisions, large furniture, or large appliances.

Mortell said the bottom line is being able to fulfill the store’s mission to support HOPE of Ogle County.

“Even when the job gets difficult it is encouraging to remember the cause we are working for and to have the opportunity to be able to contribute,” Mortell added.

Those interested in volunteering may stop in the store and fill out contact information, or call and request to speak with Mortell directly.

“The volunteers and staff at Hope Chest throughout the years have done an amazing job keeping Hope Chest a store you enjoy shopping at. The HOPE staff and Board are so thankful for all who have contributed to making Hope Chest an avenue to help change the lives of our clients,” Carter added.