Cancer Society celebrates 20th year

The American Cancer Society’s Spokane Discovery Shop will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 805 W. Garland Ave.

A special presentation will be made at 1 p.m. with refreshments, prizes and surprises.

Since 1985 the retail store has raised more than $803,535 for cancer research, education, advocacy and local services for cancer patients and their families. The amount raised continues to grow each year.

Funds raised at the shop also provide assistance with travel expenses for patients coming to Spokane for treatment, as well as Spokane patients who need to travel out of town for treatment.

Clothing, household items, jewelry, books, collectibles, small furniture and antiques can be purchased at the store. These items primarily are donated by individuals, but occasionally businesses contribute merchandise.

Clothing is clean and ready to wear, and prices are comparable to thrift stores.

The store, originally located at Monroe and Indiana, opened in 1985, with Bess Mansur as chairman, along with 19 volunteers.

The store later moved to a West Indiana Avenue address where it operated until June 1997. Since that time, the store has been at Garland and Post.

Ruthe Harshman is the current chairman, and the store now operates with the help of more than 60 volunteers.

Several of the present volunteers have been with the Discovery Shop for many years – Helen MacGregor and Barbara Brown, 20 years; Stella Lutes, 19 years; Martha Hibbard and Lorraine Schierman, 18 years; Alice Muzeroll, 17 years; Dian Lee, 15 years; and Adele Thomas, 11 years.