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Thrift Shop at Fort Detrick celebrates 50 years of service
Historical data shows that the Thrift Shop at Fort Detrick was organized Jan. 8, 1962, and, “The objective was to provide an exchange or sales point for excess property of its members with any financial profits obtained to be devoted to the welfare and morale of the military personnel of Fort Detrick and their dependents,” according to the 1st Constitution and By-Laws.
Today, the objective of the Thrift Shop remains the same. In 2011 the Thrift Shop gave grants, scholarship, and donations in excess of $10,000. Organizations and individuals who received grants included: the Chapel Programs; Army Community Programs; Family and Moral, Welfare and Recreation Programs; BOSS; AMVETS; Frederick Rescue Mission; individual soldiers and their families, and the U.S. Army Garrison and Medical Research Materiel Command Soldier and NCO of the Year.
From its humble beginnings to the current location in Building 11 on Porter Street, the Shop now has 12 rooms of items. A Board of Directors made up of representatives, from units on Fort Detrick with Colonel-level Commanders, as well as representatives from the Chapel, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Program, and the All Service Retiree Council governs the operations.
No longer able to recruit enough volunteers to maintain The Shop, five part time individuals are employed; a manager, three assistant managers, and a bookkeeper. However, volunteers are always welcome and needed to process the massive donations and consigned items. In 2011 volunteers donated nearly 1,000 hours of service to the Thrift Shop.
With support from the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick’s use of a building, which was once the aircraft control tower for Camp Detrick, the Thrift Shop is a self sustaining non-profit organization.
To celebrate their 50 years of Service the Thrift Shop will be serving coffee, punch and cookies, during the month of February. The Shop will give away one $50 gift certificate a week for four weeks, to be used at the Thrift Shop. You do not have to make a purchase to participate in the drawing nor do you have to be present to win. Winners will be notified by phone or e-mail.
During February, starting 9 a.m. Saturday, the Shop will be holding its 50-cent sale of fall and winter clothes, shoes, and purses. All other Thrift Shop property items will be 50 percent off.
Applications are now available for the two $1,000 scholarships to be awarded in May. Applications can be found on the Thrift Shop web page, or picked up at ACE, or the Thrift Shop. Applications are also being sent to all the Frederick County High Schools. The Scholarships are for undergraduate studies and eligible applicants are any individuals who are authorized consignors or dependent children of those who are authorized consignors at the Thrift Shop.
The Shop is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. To see a complete schedule of hours and dates please go to the Thrift Shop Web page and click on the tab for Expiration Dates.
Besides the donated and consigned items, The Shop sells Fort Detrick Ornaments, Nallin Pond Prints and White House Ornaments, profits from these items are dedicated to the scholarships and grants.
Items purchased in The Shop can be paid for by Credit Card, Check or Cash. The Shop is open to the public to shop, but rules on who can consign and other information on the Shop can be found on their web page by going to www.detrick.army.mil , click on Site Index, then the letter “T”, then on Thrift Shop or call 301-619-2289.