Loving Hearts Thrift Store Secretary Pat Winkler (left) and New Manager Joyce Love (right) stand in front of the volunteer entrance to Loving Hearts Thrift Store. Love grew up in Montana and worked in Helena, before moving to Seeley Lake two years ago. She has been volunteering with Loving Hearts for a little over a year and a half.
SEELEY LAKE – When asked to manage Loving Hearts Thrift Store, Joyce Love said she volunteered for the position for a similar reason the store was created: to give back to the community.
Since its inception in 1989, Loving Hearts has helped residents through bill assistance, supported local organizations and offered scholarships to Seeley-Swan High School seniors every year. With the previous manager Mary Newpower now retired, who better to take on the legacy of Loving Hearts than someone with the last name Love?
"Just to see the people come in and walk away with treasure is great," Love said. "It's just so fun to see that and come into work in the community, for the community."
Love moved to Seeley Lake from Helena around two years ago and has worked as a volunteer for Loving Hearts for a little over a year and a half. She connected to the store through the Mission Bible Fellowship, the local church in Seeley Lake that is affiliated with Loving Hearts.
Before retirement, Love worked in the accounting department for the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) for the state of Montana. She said this is her first time managing a thrift store and that she's excited, despite the heavy workload.
As the manager, Love is in charge of organizing and training volunteers and managing the Loving Heart's budget. Love does not plan to make any drastic changes to the store. Loving Hearts will keep the same hours and prices, but Love hopes to get more volunteers that can specialize in different departments, such as the shoe department, the jewelry department or the children's department.
Loving Hearts currently has 10 solid volunteers and Love is looking for more. She also encourages community members to only donate clean, non-stained items without rips or tears, because non-saleable items will be given out for free or thrown away.
Loving Hearts will continue its fundraising events, including the annual fashion show at the Mission Bible Fellowship on Aug. 13 to raise funds for student scholarships and a Toy Sale at Loving Hearts at the beginning of December to provide families with affordable gifts.
"The needs are high in this community," Love said. "So we just want to be there for them."
Loving Hearts Thrift Store is located next to the Mission Bible Fellowship, at the intersection of School Lane and Pine Drive. To volunteer, ask the cashier at Loving Hearts how to apply.
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