Unsung Heroes Sue Delo and Pat Javenes: Angel’s Attic Thrift Store Volunteers

BY BARRY WARNER

The Angel’s Attic Thrift Store is a mission of the United Methodist Church of New City. Its task is to care for the ‘under-served’ members of the community by recycling inexpensive and gently used items to those who need them. The proceeds from the store are given to the United Methodist Connectional Churches for the Shared Giving Missions from around the world. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) fought to end malaria by cutting deaths more than fifty percent, rebuilt over one hundred houses for Hurricane Sandy victims, been on-site at worldwide disasters and provided clean water pumps throughout Africa and the Caribbean.

Reverend Barbara Hoffman told the Rockland County Times, “The two wonderful volunteers who are in charge of the store, Sue Delo and Pat Javenes, have spent countless hours sorting, staging, developing and maintaining the store, along with all of the other work they do for the church. Sue Delo has been our Staff Parish Chair, a forever Usher, Head of Team Vital and our representative to the Center of United Methodist Aid in Paterson, New Jersey (CUMAC). Pat Javenes is our Sunday School Superintendent and all-around hard worker for the church. They both have done wonders in the store. They have befriended many of our customers and have gone out of their way to make sure everyone has a good experience here. They work with a group from Jawonio who come to work in the store. They have given help to the homeless and community members who have lost their homes in fires. They have also given children’s items, such as coats, shoes and socks to teachers who see a child in need. Store policy is that every child who comes to the store is given a free book.”

Sue Delo said, “I am a retired teacher and volunteer at the Angel’s Attic Thrift Store many hours during the week. It takes a lot of time to make the store look well-organized, because Items that are donated have to be sorted and placed in different areas. The store is stocked with a variety of items including books, games, jewelry, small appliances, clothes, coats and shoes for men, women and children. Twice a year there is a big $5 stuff-a-bag sale. Volunteering in the store is a ‘labor of love’ as The Ministry really helps people in need. I get to know the customers and have the opportunity to celebrate their joys and listen to their concerns.”

Pat Javenes stated, “The purpose of the Angel’s Attic Thrift Store is to help members of the community purchase items at a good price. People who bring in things feel good about their donations. Volunteering many hours in the store makes me feel important. I do a lot of sorting of clothes, appliances, coats, hats and socks and excess items are given to the Vets, The Salvation Army and CUMAC in Paterson, New Jersey. I call my volunteer efforts a ‘Faith Journey’ as it is good to know that I am helping others in need. I am a retired special education teacher and enjoy working with the group from Jawonio.”

According to the website www.umcor.org, The United Methodist Committee on Relief is a non-profit 501C3 organization dedicated to alleviating suffering around the globe. The goal is to assist the most vulnerable persons affected by crisis or chronic need without regard to race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. UMCOR’s work reaches people in more than eighty countries, including the United States. Humanitarian relief is provided when war, conflict or natural disasters disrupt life to such an extent, that communities are unable to recover on their own.

While UMCOR is not a first-response organization, it stands ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery, until they are well on their way to establish a ‘new normal’ after a crisis. Relief-supply kits help provide care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis.  UMCOR collects seven types of kits (bedding, birthing, cleaning bucket, health, layette, school, sewing) for global distribution and cleaning bucket kits for U.S. distribution after storms. Volunteers generously assemble, verify and pack the kits, so that they can be sent to the places where they are needed most.

If interested in volunteering or donating items to the Angel’s Attic Thrift Store call The United Methodist Church of New City at 845-634-1758.