If you haven’t been to Thrifty Threads in Preston lately, you should stop by and check it out. It offers a variety of gently used, quality items along with handwoven rag rugs. “Bag week,” a special deal where you pay $7 for whatever you can fit into a brown paper bag, runs the last full week of each month. “We’d like to spread the word about Thrifty Threads to let people know what we have to offer,” said Director Lori Weiss.
The thrift store has been operating since the early 80s in Preston and is a part of the main Fillmore County Developmental Achievement Center facility, or DAC at 108 Fillmore Place St. They’ve been in their current location for five years now and are enjoying the open floor plan that allows the DAC employees more freedom to move around the store.
Thrifty Threads is staffed by Director Lori Weiss, Ronda Brand, Kelly Pierce, and about 11 DAC clients, with seven or eight working at the store each day. “They’re very proud of their work and love to greet the customers. They love seeing familiar faces,” commented Weiss about Thrifty Threads DAC employees who hail from Harmony, Spring Valley, Wykoff, and Preston. The employees enjoy helping with the construction of the handwoven rugs for sale at the store as well.
“I love the folks and the customers. I’ve watched a lot of children grow up,” said Brand about her 19 years working at Thrifty Threads. “This is a great community where everyone’s good to our people.”
The DAC strives to help its clients be as integrated and engaged in their communities as possible. Thrifty Threads helps it to reach that goal. Other employment services are available doing general janitorial work at local businesses. Each enclave, or work crew, goes out to jobs with a support person to encourage and praise them for their hard work. “We’re always looking for more work and ways to assist local businesses,” Weiss noted. A few of the work sites that the DAC currently visits are the Preston Serviceman’s Club, Preston Public Library, Eagle Bluff Learning Center, Good Earth Village, and Gundersen Health Care.
The Fillmore County DAC, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, is run by a governing board of about eight volunteer members, some of whom are long-term. They work hard to advocate strongly for what the DAC needs. “We’re proud of the many years the DAC has been in existence and of all the hard work that the direct support staff does everyday. We’re always looking for ways to recognize and thank them for their work,” Weiss remarked. The DAC’s mission statement is to provide person-centered planning and service delivery that allows for individual ability and interest in employment services, recreation, socialization, and community engagement so that all persons receiving services may maintain and improve their enjoyment and quality of life. They believe in the personal worth and dignity of every individual and work to enrich their lives and help them maintain roles as valued community members.
“We provide a very necessary service to the community, and the DAC is an extremely important part of each person’s life that we serve.” Weiss went on to explain how it was originally started for children with special needs in Fillmore County, but as the public school became integrated with more services available, it turned into a program for adults ages 18 and up. “Some of the individuals have been here since they were small.” she added. “It truly is their home.”
The proceeds from Thrifty Threads stay at the DAC and help to support it. “We greatly appreciate all of our customers and donations,” Weiss expressed. The DAC is also very grateful for cash donations which help it continue to operate.
Thrifty Threads is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. They ask that donations are gently used and of good quality to keep recycling costs down. Drop-offs are accepted during store hours although arrangements can sometimes be made if the donor can’t make it before the store closes. For more information on Thrifty Threads or the DAC, contact Lori Weiss at lweissdac@centurytel.net or (507) 765-3378.