Brenda Oelschlagercareshareshoppes@verizon.net
A seasoned second-hand shopper herself, Sarah Bergin hopes her enthusiasm for a good buy is contagious as she fills her role at the Care and Share Shoppes in Souderton, Pa. She started the year as the new Executive Director for the organization which includes three thrift stores and the Ten Thousand Villages fair trade store. While she gets to know the staff, board of directors and the many volunteers, she is keeping her focus on finding creative ways to entice new shoppers into the stores.“It will be a challenge to help the next generation recognize what a gem these stores are,” she said. With a constant supply of high quality, reasonably priced items in the clothing, variety and furniture stores, you can always find something to fit your budget, meet your needs or fulfill a fun desire. The best part of the Care and Share shopping experience according to Bergin, “is that the money is used to help so many others in so many meaningful ways.”
Out of 50 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) thrift shops in the United States, the Care and Share Shoppes and Ten Thousand Villages in Souderton combined contributed the largest amount—over $720,000 in 2007 to MCC. Bergin points out that not only do the stores contribute to the worldwide programs supported by MCC, they touch the lives of many local people in positive ways as well.“The stores really are helping the earth by providing recycling opportunities for the products we sell. We are also a wonderful community network base for the many volunteers who work here,” she explained. Affordable products help many families and individuals stretch their tight budgets a bit further as well.Bergin feels her work and the mission of the stores are directly linked to the overall mission of the Mennonite church. “We are helping people, as Jesus directed all of us to do, whether they are our local neighbors or brothers and sisters around the world.”Her connection to MCC has been important throughout her life, so her new position seems a natural fit for Bergin. A member of Perkasie Mennonite Church, she has spent many years helping to coordinate the School Kit collection project there. “I’ve always been impressed with the way MCC works, so I’m excited to be part of that effort on a daily basis.”Bergin has experience in retail management, has worked for the non-profit Hepatitis B Foundation in Doylestown,Pa., serves as an election judge in Hatfield Township and has been involved in raising medically needy foster children. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes husband Ian and four children.
With her skills in sales and her heart for service Bergin brings a fresh perspective to her new position and looks forward to developing both professionally and spiritually on the job.She has set high goals for herself and the thrift shoppes as she lays plans to add to the number of volunteers, expand the product donor base and increase the store sales. Of course she plans to do a bit of shopping in her spare time.photo by Marilyn Nolt
