Editorial: The Elephant never forgets to give—now let’s give back

The effects of the high price of oil and the housing slump have hit not only the profits of everyday retail stores and other businesses as people curb their spending, but also the non-profits in our community, including one of Green Valley’s most generous—the Country Fair White Elephant.

Last December, the CFWE handed out $1.4 million to 133 social service groups, local charities, youth organizations, school districts and other entities.

To do this, it takes a lot of donations from the community, loads of shoppers willing to buy the bargains at the Elephant’s thrift shop, and approximately 500 dedicated volunteers who collect, price and sell the goods.

The big picture means that since its inception 44 years ago, the CFWE has donated back to the community approximately $14,087,892.

Summertime is notorious for decreased sales activity across the board in Southern Arizona, be it a profit or nonprofit business, due to the departure in late May of the winter visitors.

On the other hand, many more residents stayed right here to endure the Arizona heat this season due to the increased cost of travel, both on the ground and in the air.

Regardless, according to CFWE General Manager Karen Morales, July sales in the thrift store were up to a record high, beating last year’s sales totals.

Although the year has yet to end, sales are slightly down in the thrift store overall “by a tad,” Morales says, and part is due to the frequency that patrons are shopping at the store.

The CFWE, known for its bargain prices on a range of goods from clothing, books, appliances, furniture, collectibles and more, attracts people from Tucson to Nogales and beyond. Many, we are told, shop several times a week and some even shop daily. At times, there are several hundred people waiting in line for the doors to open at 9 a.m.

Many of those frequent shoppers have admitted cutting down on their shopping trips because they just can’t afford the journey with increased gas prices, thus cutting into the thrift store’s sales profits that eventually make their way back to help the community.

Besides gas being a thorn in the side of profits, there is the problem of a sluggish home sales market.

That means that large donated items such as furniture and appliances earmarked for the CFWE are slightly down, too, as people hold onto their furnishings until they sell their homes.

It takes many hands to make the CFWE a success.

Volunteers are needed, too, Morales says, especially those who can work on the trucks, man the receiving department and are strong enough to lift heavy items.

CFWE volunteers are extremely dedicated. Many have donated their time to the non-profit for more than 15 years, but there is always room for more.

To donate, to volunteer or to just say “thanks” for a job well done, call Karen Morales at the Country Fair White Elephant from 9 a.m. until noon at 625-4119.