More than what you bargain for

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica Stamps
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  For members of Team Holloman who are trying to sell their unwanted household items without having to host a garage sale or place an ad on a website, stopping in at the base Thrift Store can potentially put money back in their pockets and give the community a two-for-one deal.

"It's a good benefit to people who don't necessarily want to give away their stuff to the Thrift Store but have some good things that they can bring here and sell," said Jennifer Cunningham, Thrift Store manager and wife of U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Cunningham, 49th Medical Support Squadron commander. "There are a lot of good deals."

Volunteers from the Holloman Officers' Spouses' Club get together twice a week to help run the shop and ensure the items up for resale are in good condition before putting them on the shelves. They also sort through the donation bin, organize the furniture and ensure all electronics are working.

"The more stuff we get, the more stuff we can sell," said Cunningham. "We want our prices to be good so we can keep turning it around and if we do that, people come back more often and buy more."

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., anyone who has access to the base can walk into the Thrift Store and purchase goods.

"The Thrift Store is here to benefit the community," said Cunningham. "It's run by volunteers and we do it so that people can find good bargains."

Active duty, reservists, dependents and retirees with a valid I.D. card are the only ones allowed to consign their new or gently used goods. They make a 75 percent profit if their item is sold and the other 25 percent goes to charities in the local area.

"Our real mission is to be a consignment shop so that the military members can get rid of their stuff instead of just throwing it away when they move," said Colleen Bussing, Thrift Store volunteer and wife of retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. George Bussing.

Those who want to help the community without selling or buying goods can drop off their items in the bins located outside the store. After eight weeks, the items that are not purchased are donated to the Council of Churches warehouse.

"All proceeds go to the community, who give lots of scholarships and send money back to charities that need the money," said Cunningham. "That's 100 percent why we exist."

Whether you want to save some money or add a little extra to your wallet, the sale made from each item can help decrease financial difficulties for others who use the Thrift Store.

"We are beneficial all the way around," said Bussing.

For more information about the Holloman Thrift Store call 575-479-0529.