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Business & Tech

Nifty Thrift

Donna Rodgers, owner of Woodstock's Nifty Thrift store, has made "giving back by giving away" her life-long pursuit.

As you walk through the swinging door of the Nifty Thrift, the first thing you'll see behind the counter is the taped-up photo of Anthony, a little boy from Bolivia whose serious face betrays his age and for whom your dollars will probably mean his dinner.

But just as poignant is what you won't see: the recently removed photo of Maria, who with the help of proceeds from the thrift store, was finally able to move with her family out of their Peruvian ghetto and no longer needs financial help.

Or, a little closer to home, there's the Woodstock single mother of six who was finally able to receive some much-needed dental care.

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The list can and will go on if thrift store owner Donna Rodgers has anything to do with it.

Driven by her unwavering faith and a life-long aspiration to serve others,Β  Rodgers' dream finally came to pass in October of 2009.

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"When we opened the store, our hearts desired to share the love of God to everyone who entered here," professed Rodgers, who joyfully gives a bible away to every customer.

Born an entire world away from most of the people her ministry Help Center International helps to feed, clothe, and shelter, Rodgers began her life as a "military brat" just outside of an Air Force base in Nebraska. But it was at age 15 at a Florida bible study where she says her Christian conviction to "give back" really flourished.Β 

Now as an Eagle Watch resident in Woodstock, Rodgers is putting to good use the "seed money" that her husband gave her to start the venture. What originally began as an idea for a home decor business quickly transformed when she discovered her current Highway 92 location, a multi-roomed building directly across from the Dixie Speedway.

"This [store] had been in my heart, too," Rodgers said. "I decided to do a thrift store for ministry first, and then I'll do the next door."

Shortly after acquiring the site, she was then able to fill her shelves with donations from Eagle Watch's left-overs from their annual community yard sale, a blessing that she said she hopes will repeat itself this year.

With generous contributions like these from the local community, she is able to keep the Nifty Thrift's costs low enough so that those people in need can actually afford the items they require.

"I got tired of giving my stuff away to organizations that weren't as thrifty as I was," lamented Rodgers, who admits to only charging prices that never exceed what she personally would be willing to pay.

Rodgers said she also hopes both friends and strangers in the community will be moved to take part in her ministry, if not with goods or donations, then with their time.

"I need volunteers desperately," Rodgers said. "We hope that you will come to visit us, and even help us by donating your gently used items as well as voluntering when you can."

But by far the most meaningful and fruitful aspect of to her thrift store's mission is Rodgers' tireless motivation to remain faithful to the needs of those around her, whether they're the ones who are receiving her help or the ones who are helping her.

"If someone comes into the store and they really can't afford what they need, they can have it for free," Rodgers said. "I believe when people donate things, that's what they would really hope to see happen."

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