Long story short…

Imagine going to a thrift store and having the opportunity to sign up for free, life-changing, life-enhancing opportunities such as:

• Adult Literacy classes

• GED Prep classes

• Diabetes Undone workshop

• Healthy Lifestyle seminar

• Debt Reduction seminar

• Other possibilities

That’s our dream, our plan, for these small, disadvantaged mountain communities in Southwest Virginia. These offerings can give hope as they improve the quality of life and open up more job opportunities for our dear neighbors. Please help us accomplish our goal and serve our neighbors in very meaningful ways.

We are presently seeking monetary donations to bring this dream to fruition. Repeat donors are especially appreciated.

Long story…

Help Us Help Our Community

Hello! My name is Mary Ann Walden, and I’m a member of the Konnarock community area of Damascus, VA – a fantastically beautiful area of the Appalachian Mountains!

Last Fall, our community, as well as the surrounding areas, suffered devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The damage will take years to recover from. People all through these mountains, valleys, and hollers suddenly needed assistance with virtually everything, as many had lost substantially.

In order to be of assistance to the dear people in our, and surrounding communities on a regular basis, or when another major event happens, my church, Konnarock Seventh-day Adventist Church (a small country church), has decided to establish a thrift store in Konnarock. Plans are underway, and donations of goods have already begun coming in for this thrift store, which will be called “The $aving Place”. This project came about as a result of months of praying about a meaningful way of ministering to the people of Konnarock community. God even provided the name, The $aving Place.

A while back, I sent out a feeler on Facebook asking if people in this area would like to see a thrift store right here in Konnarock. Of the many responses I received, all but one were strongly in favor of it and very enthusiastic about the possibility; this is something this community needs and wants!

Not only will we be able to provide savings on clothing, shoes, household items, small furniture and appliances, etc., but we plan to offer a platform to our neighbors via several possibilities that can aid them in recovering from misfortunes and improving their life situations. We can provide a platform for AA meetings, Grief Recovery meetings, Adult Literacy classes, GED programs, Diabetes Undone workshops, Healthy Cooking demonstrations/classes, Financial Recovery classes, etc. (whatever our neighbors indicate they are interested in). A form offering these opportunities will be available in The $aving Place for people to register their interests/needs. Their responses will indicate which offerings we will provide first, second, etc.

A voucher plan will be put into place whereby a person or family that has had an emergency (fire, medical emergency, etc.) can get a stated amount of goods free to aid them in their personal, immediate recovery. The $aving Place’s mission is to be of service to our dear neighbors in whatever way they indicate they might need ministering to.

A 3000 square foot building has become available in the main area of Konnarock community. This is a Godsend! Just the size we need, fantastic location, very good condition. We’re excited!

That’s where you come in. I’m coming to you in the hopes (and prayers) you can help us raise the funds for this ministry designed to serve our community. We need $280,000 to purchase the building, make a few adjustments to it to meet the needs of a thrift store, and to furnish the building. You don’t have $280,000 just sitting around? Neither do we! But God does – and it’s sitting in pockets of His people all over the place just waiting for a nudge to turn it loose to establish The $aving Place thrift store in Konnarock community. If you can give $10,000, or only $10, you will be blessed – and so will the dear people of Konnarock, VA, and the surrounding communities in these beautiful Appalachian mountains. Recurring donations would be especially appreciated!

Your prayers and your financial support, in the start-up of this ministry, will be a tremendous blessing to you and to our neighbors.

If (I pray not!) the building should sell before we raise the needed funds, the money we have received will be used to purchase a different building, or build one, to establish the thrift store called The $aving Place.

Once we get The $aving Place up and running, we will establish a website where you can check in and “tour” the store. So, search for it online from time to time. Plus, if you’re ever in the Southwest VA area, we would love for you to stop in and see what your contribution helped accomplish!

Oh, and one more thing: Please pass this GoFundMe on to everyone you know! We never can tell who might be touched by this need and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to it.

Thank you!

Blessings,

Mary Ann Walden