Fort Bragg Thrift Store Marks Historic Transition to ASYMCA Operations | Article

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The Fort Bragg Thrift Retailer, a cherished fixture to the house of the Airborne and Particular Operations Forces group for practically seven many years, formally transitioned to operation below the Armed Companies YMCA in a ribbon slicing occasion on Might 16.

The thrift retailer traces its roots again 68 years to the Fort Bragg Officers’ Wives Membership, which based it as a nonprofit devoted to supporting navy personnel and their households. Over the many years, the shop has advanced below completely different administration teams whereas persevering with its mission of service. Amongst its contributions, it has supplied scholarships, partnered with numerous organizations—together with the American Purple Cross and Military Womack Hospital—and maintained a steadfast presence in Fort Bragg’s charitable panorama.

The shop is in a historic constructing off Woodruff Avenue that when served as a mule barn. Since relocating to its present web site in 2006, it has undergone renovations and operational enhancements. With ASYMCA now main its administration, additional upgrades—reminiscent of a “facelift” to the shop and a revised drop-off location are anticipated.

ASYMCA, a company with a nationwide presence throughout navy bases, is devoted to providing free and low-cost programming to navy households. The thrift retailer’s income will now instantly contribute to increasing the ASYMCA companies, enhancing its influence on the Fort Bragg space.

ASYMCA’s Chief of Employees, Charlie Williams, praised the Fort Bragg group for its dedication, highlighting comparable expansions throughout ASYMCA areas, together with new childcare facilities, ready rooms, and household companies. He famous that partnerships just like the one between ASYMCA and the thrift retailer are important for long-term success.

“Partnerships occur as a result of they’re nurtured, and so they’re paid consideration to, and other people have interaction, and people relationships develop and blossom,” stated Williams. “I am very pleased to see the relationships right here at Fort Bragg rising and blossoming as they’re.”

Fort Bragg ASYMCA Govt Director, Jeremy Hester, admitted he had initially anticipated the thrift retailer to make main enhancements however was impressed by its well-run operations. He additionally assured attendees that the thrift retailer will proceed working effectively, with its devoted workers and volunteers enjoying an important position in its success.

Regardless of the change in administration, the thrift retailer stays dedicated to supporting Fort Bragg households by numerous help applications:

• Child and Me Program: Supplies important gadgets for expectant moms with a Army ID.

• Neighborhood Outreach Program: Provides assets to native nonprofits aiding the navy group.

• Hand in Hand Program: Assists troopers going through hardship, providing home items and emergency assist.

• Military Neighborhood Companies Partnership: Helps those that don’t qualify for conventional emergency housing.

• Saver Saturday: Permits navy households to obtain free clothes gadgets throughout month-to-month giveaways.

The occasion featured heartfelt acknowledgments of the thrift retailer’s workers, together with Thrift Retailer Supervisor Anna Prospero and Thrift Retailer Flooring Supervisor Clea Frazier.

“We’ve got 11 women sturdy on our group and they’re the guts of our Thrift Retailer workers,” stated Prospero. “With out them, our retailer wouldn’t run easily”

To commemorate the event, Charlie Williams offered a particular Armed Companies YMCA coin that includes a historic espresso wagon—symbolizing the group’s origins from the Civil Struggle period when volunteers supplied sustenance to troops. The occasion concluded with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, adopted by facility excursions and discussions on future initiatives.

With ASYMCA now overseeing operations, the Fort Bragg Thrift Retailer is poised for continued development, making certain its legacy of service stays sturdy.

For extra updates on group applications and methods to assist the thrift retailer, go to https://fortbragg.asymca.org/ and on social media https://www.fb.com/asymcathriftshop.