In Appreciation of Angels

If you’ve never been inside the Angel Guild Thrift Store, it’s hard to describe. The seemingly endless stream of treasures doesn’t speak to the real value of this little hole-in-the-wall storefront. What resides and grows at the Angel Guild is human connection, interaction, and faith-restoring acts of kindness.

For me, the best part of volunteering is witnessing joy at the store’s front desk. Recently, a sweet young man had come in often, coveting a musical instrument that even at the guild’s low pricing, he couldn’t swing. We chatted about his love of music, his collection of instruments, and the budget restrictions of going to college. It pained me that logistics and store policy don’t allow for a layaway purchase or long-term holds, and it was a sad day when the clarinet was gone from the shelves.

I thought about the young man often, and on a recent shift I was excited to see the clarinet again on our shelves and then to see my young friend come into the shop. His eyes lit up when he opened the case and fingered his way up and down the scales, but his budget still didn’t include an extra $20. When he tried to hand the case back, I offered a loan, but the gentleman standing behind us stepped forward saying, “I’m going to buy it for you,” which he did, with two crisp $100 bills, donating the change to the Angel Guild. There wasn’t a dry eye in the store when they left, and stories like this play out nearly every day.

I want to thank the Angel Guild for all they provide to our community and the gift of restored hope they give us all.