Discovery Shop short of volunteers

A lack of volunteers may curtail operations at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop, which has operated for 19 years.

Clothing, household items, jewelry, books, collectibles, small furniture and antiques can be purchased at the store, 805 W. Garland Ave. These items are primarily donated by individuals, but occasionally businesses contribute merchandise.

After the utilities and rent are paid, every cent goes to fund cancer research, education, information, advocacy and local services for cancer patients and their families.

Volunteers keep the shop running.

Of the 11 shops in the Washington-Oregon region, the Spokane shop had the greatest increase in sales for the first quarter this year. According to volunteer Larry Goehner, that’s because the people who work there, many “seasoned citizens” in their 60s, 70s and 80s, know what they’re doing.

But unless more people volunteer, the shop will have to reduce its hours or eventually close. Many volunteers are out with surgeries and illnesses. One recently died.

Most volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; summer hours 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Volunteers not only pick up, sort, clean, repair, price, display and sell items at the store, they also offer information and resources to cancer patients and their families. Many of the volunteers are cancer survivors themselves or have had family members with cancer.

Goehner not only repairs many items that come into the shop, but he picks up donations.

“We could really use someone to help with this. One more person with a pickup would really be helpful,” said Goehner who recently had to make two trips to the same place to pick up donations.

In addition to aiding research and education, funds raised at the shop 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. The shop offers free wigs and resources for breast prosthetics.

Volunteer Mary Lou Nikolaus was stylish in a name-brand outfit that she bought at the shop.

“You can get a whole outfit for $8 to $12. The volunteers are our own best customers,” said Nikolaus.

Shop manager Dian Lee described the shop as upscale retail. Many pieces of clothing in the shop carry names like Pendleton, Liz Claiborne, Jones New York and Old Navy.

“Our prices may be slightly higher than thrift stores, but everything is laundered or dry cleaned,” said Lee. Spokanite Dry Cleaners donates its services to help the shop.

Lee explained that the pricing guidelines come from Seattle, but most items at the Spokane shop are priced in the midrange, depending on their condition. The shop frequently offers half-price yellow tag sales and discounts.

“Everything that comes in the shop is the property of the American Cancer Society. If things come in that Larry can’t fix, like a radio or lamp, we give it to St. Vincent de Paul. They come and pick up things three times a week. Nothing goes to waste,” Lee said.

“Clothing that can’t be resold is made into rugs.”

Lee said that other clothing items are donated to Our Place, in the West Central neighborhood, and Crosswalk, a shelter for homeless teens. Hope House, a women’s shelter, receives cosmetics, combs and lingerie.

“We have a lot of fun working here. It’s like a sorority. The volunteers get more out of it then they give,” said Nikolaus.

She joked that they should put out a naked calendar like in the movie “Calendar Girls” to raise money.

“We’re always looking for new ideas,” she laughed.