Durand News

New Durand Thrift Store Offers Bargains With Heart Picking Up Donations Daily

Woodbury, NJ--January, 2009 The new non-profit Durand Thrift Store, open since October, is doing a brisk business and still has many bargains available, including never-used, still tagged items, and brand-name children’s, men’s and women’s clothing from Gap, Chicos, JJill, Gymboree, Children’s Place, Abercrombie and Aeropostale. New bath and body products, knick-knacks, music CD’s, toys, books, electronics, furniture and more are among the store’s offerings. Most items range between $1.00 and $10.00 and throughout the year the store allows customers to stuff a paper shopping bag full of clothing for only $10.00 a bag. Recently, Sheree Artis of Woodbury shared her secret for stacking the most clothes in the bag. “Rolling each item is the key!” she said. Sheree, who was shopping with son Parris, 3 and daughter Serenity 2, visits the store several times a week and always finds something new. She primarily purchases clothing and toys.

Durand Thrift Store, which accepts and displays new donations daily, is managed by personnel with the non-profit Durand Academy & Community Services at which 15 special needs adults with disabilities ranging from Down’s Syndrome to Autism, assist as part of Durand’s day program. These adult day center clients sort through donations, unpack boxes and assist in donation pick-ups. Extensive back-room space allows adults to eat lunch, relax and socialize when they aren’t working. The store is located at 549 North Evergreen Avenue in the Evergreen Square Shopping Center and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 4 and Saturdays 9 to 3.  Donations may be dropped off or will be picked up by Durand employees. For any questions or to arrange donation pick-up, call the store at 856-845-8913. Durand provides receipts for tax purchases for all charitable donations.

According to Susan Sedlack Durand’s Adult Training Services Coordinator, the store developed when the number of new special need adult clients from the Gloucester County area grew. Durand’s original and still existing adult day program at its Mount Laurel headquarters currently consists of twenty special needs adults who produce Scentsations, a bath and body line of products, now sold at the store. They also deliver Meals on Wheels (with Durand staff driving) and perform other community services. 

“When I began working at Durand 2 ½ years ago, our adult program had 19 clients. We now have 35,” Sedlack said. Fifteen clients work at the store and 20 work in Mount Laurel.

Durand transports all of the clients from their homes or providers’ homes and drives them to either the Mount Laurel location or the thrift shop in Woodbury, based upon where they live. “Our clients love seeing that the products they create and the items they unpack sell in the store,” said Sedlack. “It provides a wonderful sense of accomplishment. The funds raised go back into our organizations’ services. It’s truly a win-win for all.”

The non-profit Durand Academy and Community Services has been devoted to serving children and adults with special needs and their families throughout South Jersey since 1972. They have a K-8 school, Durand Academy, in Woodbury near the Thrift Store, group homes throughout South Jersey, in addition to the vocational day program. They also offer respite services for families, workshops for parents and more. For further information, logon to www.durandac.org or call 856-235-3540.