CMU volunteers work at preschool’s thrift shop

Members of the CMU chapter of Mortar Board are volunteering at a thrift
store to benefit a local preschool for underprivileged youth.

Students in the 15-member collegiate national honor society rotate
working every Saturday at the Isabella Child Development Center Thrift
Shop, 1125 N. Mission St., to help fund the center’s program for
three-year-old children.

“The money from the Thrift Shop is used to help pay staff and buy
supplies, materials and healthy snacks for the children,” said Pam
Hansen, center director and teacher, who has worked at the ICDC for six
years.

Before 1996 – when the preschool received federal assistance – the
37-year-old center for 3 and 4-year-olds was funded entirely by the
shop.

The non-profit store has no sales employees, just volunteers from
the community, said Tom Moffit, the store’s manager.

Moffit said he appreciates the students’ work.

“They are a great help and always eager to work,” he said.

Jenison senior Amber Curl, CMU Mortar Board president, said the
group has assisted the store for the last several years.

“Mortar Board likes to be involved in the community, not just on
campus,” she said.