We are Open, Y’all!

Continuing from Fundraising - SCRAP Denton style.

When SCRAP Denton opened its doors for its first day of operation at noon on January 5, something extraordinary happened. When SCRAPper-in-Chief Donna Gregory put the key in the lock, the bells of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church began to peel. If ever there was a good omen for success, that was it.

And the first day of SCRAP Denton did not disappoint. The shelves were well-stocked and well-organized with donations they’d been collecting for months. The donation processing area was buzzing with activity; volunteers processing, pricing and shelving newly donated materials. There was a huge stash of colorful materials in the next room just waiting to be processed.

Donna sat at the entrance with her antique cash box, calculator, scratch pad, iPhone Square, and raffle tickets for those who spent $20 or more. She welcomed shoppers as though they were guests in her home. And her adjutant, Martha Coburn, was ready to receive them when they entered the store. “Guests” were treated to the excitement of a hustling, bustling creative reuse center. Overheard were comments such as, “I’ve been looking for one of these!” “This is perfect for my project!” and “I’m going home and clean out my craft room – do you take donations?”

There was a steady stream of interested visitors all afternoon. Donna couldn’t get away from the counter checking out shoppers. I offered to relieve her for a break. That offer was most appreciated until my first customers stepped up to check out. Donna had gotten barely 10 feet from the counter when I brought her right back to calculate sales tax and process a credit card with Square. I proved to be helpful as long as customers paid with cash and waited patiently while this girl from sales tax-free Oregon stumbled through the appropriate calculations.

By the end of the day, SCRAP Denton’s success was clinched. The stats tell the story; approximately 150 visitors, $123.50 in sales, 330 pounds of donated materials, and seven new volunteers. 

The bells of St. Andrews may ring every day at noon – but on January 5, we chose to believe they rang out to herald SCRAP Denton’s arrival!

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