Volunteer Appreciation Week 2024 Continued

Feeling right at home at Resale Select store

Kathy Rehwaldt knows how to select and merchandise home products. After all, the recent retiree spent 40 years in sales of interior accents such as pillows, rugs, and bedding. “My love has always been interior design; I’ve spent a lot of years studying [it].”  

This made her a natural fit as a volunteer at Interfaith’s Resale Select thrift store, which sells like-new home goods and furniture, as well as clothing, books and other goods for the whole family. 

Kathy and her husband lived in the Plymouth area for 30 years but then sold their hobby farm and moved to Bloomington. Upon retirement, Kathy looked at her skills set and chose to take on two volunteering positions: sharing her talents at the Resale Select store and getting certified as a ski patrol at Highland Hills. Kathy faithfully travels to Plymouth to continue volunteering at Resale Select weekly.  

“I love the community. I’d say that’s probably my favorite part,” says Kathy. “People come in; they love to talk. We get to see a lot of people.”  In describing a typical day, Kathy points out, it’s anything but typical: “Every day you come in, you might have a different task to do, depending on what’s needed. That keeps it fresh. And the days just fly by.” 

For those interested in emulating Kathy’s volunteer experience, there are a variety of ways to help. Specific skills can be put to use – whether you choose to work on occasion or routinely, as an individual or in a group. “It’s been fun to work with the groups coming through,” she says. 

“I have a lot of energy,” Kathy points out, “so this is good for me because it gets me out [of the house].” The fact that it’s a retail environment has its perks as well. “As my husband says, I’m not spending money elsewhere; I’m spending it here.” Kathy likes knowing that her purchases support IOCP’s mission – and being able to use her volunteer discount: “You get 30% off if you volunteer [that day]. And you get to see things first!” 

Thanks, Kathy!

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