In the three years since it opened its doors as a used furniture outlet, New Life Furniture has grown to become one of the Creston Valley’s key recycling enterprises. And it provides funding for the much-needed social programs offered by Kootenai Community Centre Society (KCCS).
Moving to its current location on Northwest Boulevard, across from the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, has been an important step in getting more walk-by traffic, said manager Amanda Cannon. Also, by partnering in a growing number of recycling programs, the store plays an ever-increasing role in the environmental well-being of the community.
“We are an enterprising non-profit business,” Cannon said. “All of the proceeds from New Life Furniture support KCCS programs. The society is able to offer about two times the level of services, in our Stopping the Violence Programs, than we are funded for by the government.”
By adding an entrepreneurial arm to its society, KCCS has been able to solidify and enhance the services it offers, which include Stopping the Violence programs (Irvine House women’s shelter, Older Women’s Safe Home and Outreach Services for Women), advocacy, child care programs (Teddy Bear Day Care, Grizzly Bear Out of School Care) and youth programs (Beyond Wild and the PARTY — Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth — program).
“The business started as a collaboration between (KCCS executive director) Dina Bambrick and Dave Lawrence (who operated a new and used furniture store),” Cannon said. “It started out with used furniture, then added appliances. And we have been growing ever since.”
Operated primarily by volunteers, the store offers clean, good quality used furniture and appliances, all of which are in working condition. Each item is checked and repairs are completed before it hits the showroom floor. Sporting goods and medical equipment have also been added to the complement of items for sale, matching a demand in the marketplace with donations, “which just keep rolling in”, she said.
“It is an amazing team that makes this business successful,” Cannon said. “We have very dedicated volunteers who truly believe in what we are doing.”
Volunteers typically work three to four hours a week, but some put in as many as 10 hours. One volunteer has been with the shop since shortly after it opened.
“Our youngest volunteer is a three-year-old,” she laughed. “And we’ve had an inquiry from a man in his 90s who wants to help.”
Volunteers, because they work under the KCCS umbrella, are required to have a criminal record check — “It’s quick and easy,” Cannon said — and they don’t have to worry about heavy lifting.
“We are very fortunate to get such great donations,” she said. “Much of what we have for sale is virtually brand new.”
Computer users will be pleased to know that their unwanted or outdated items can be recycled, and often reused when they are sold from the store. Like the appliances, all computer items destined for sale are checked carefully, and all personal information is wiped from hard drives before they hit the sales floor.
Computer equipment that isn’t suitable for reuse is recycled in a provincial program, which recaptures the valuable metals. It might be of interest to know that this recapturing has become a big part of Cominco’s operations in Trail.
New Life Furniture and Recycling recently became a depot for the Unplugged small appliance recycling program. Now, most can be recycled instead of taking up valuable landfill space. Under the program, local residents can drop off a huge array of items, including appliances that fall under the following categories — countertop cooking, floor care, time measurement, personal care, weight measurement, garment care and air treatment. The store also accepts batteries and ink and toner cartridges.
The list of services grows with demand.
“We are also a participant in the Harvest Share program,” Cannon said. “We have a fridge for people to drop off and pick up local produce under the program.”
New volunteers are welcome. People contributing their time typically work in either the back or front department. In the back department, volunteers process recycling, help with donation pickups and deliveries, test and refurbish merchandise, sort donations, do shipping and receiving, and custodial work. Activities in the front department include cashiering, customer service, public education, creating merchandise displays, marketing and promotion, and custodial work.
New Life Furniture and Recycling is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays. Drop in to 114 Northwest Boulevard to browse the merchandise, learn more about the business and Kootenai Community Centre Society and get information about volunteering. Call 250-428-0098 for more information.