Thrifty shopping in winter leads to grants, scholarships in spring

Fort Myer Thrift Shop benefits military-affiliated students, families in the National Capital Region.

Approximately 55 volunteers keep customers from all over the National Capital Region returning to the Fort Myer Thrift Shop all 146 days the store is open throughout the year.

"If we sell 50 items right now, we've got another 150 items to sort through that came in this morning," Fort Myer Thrift Shop Chairperson Kathy Candido said.

This is good news for long-time customer Melissa Juras, a military spouse who has become a self-described master of bargain-hunting when budgeting for a household that includes three school-aged children.

"It's the best buy in town - I've saved so much money on clothes, jewelry, fur coats - I have something from this thrift store in every room of my house," Juras said. "Bunk beds, lamps, rugs, clothes, napkins, table clothes and even curtains."

The same bargain-hunting bug has also caught on to customers like Curtis Tucker, who is just as thrifty shopping for himself. The Vietnam veteran admits to scouring various installation thrift stores monthly, to include shops at Joint Base Andrews and Fort Belvoir.

He said each store offers something different.

"The clothing here at Fort Myer is affordable and durable, from uniforms to undergarments," Tucker said. "You'll get a real good deal on undergarments for the colder weather - off-base you might spend $80 to $90 - in here I'll spend $4 or $5."

Community grants and scholarships

The bargains Juras and Tucker find and purchase, are part of a much larger contribution. Sales that average over $500,000 annually are returned back to National Capital Region in the form of scholarships and community grants. Community grants, for example, are open to any 501(c)(3) exempt non-profit organization that benefits any branch of service, according to Candido.

"We're a big proponent of many organizations," said Candido.

A long list of organizations received grants in 2015, to include U.S. Marine Corps families in need who recently received $6,000 worth of holiday food vouchers.

While any agency that supports the military can apply for a community grant, scholarships are awarded solely to U.S. Army family members. Applicants eligible to apply must be high school seniors, college students or U.S. Army spouses who need funding to finish a college degree or complete a certification, Candido said.

In a partnership with the Army Officers' Wives' Club of the Greater Washington Area (AOWCGWA), committees representative of both the Fort Myer Thrift Shop and AOWCGWA collect applications and factors including grade point averages, community involvement, college majors and award scholarships based on these combined components. And the money is sent directly to the institution, college or university.

"It's a very good, fair and honest way to award scholarships," Candido said.

This year, a record 39 scholarships were awarded totaling $105,500. But it wouldn't have been possible without volunteers, customers and area donors who supply the goods.

Volunteers and management call it a "winning circle" because proceeds for a variety of needs are filtered back into military communities in the National Capital Region. And items that aren't sold are given to the Frederick Rescue Mission in Maryland, for a number of other outreach services.

Customers are equally appreciative of the Fort Myer Thrift Shop deals, and the impact of their purchase. Sales are open to the general public.

"I tell everyone about it," Melissa Juras said.

The Fort Myer Thrift Shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 to 2:30 p.m. And the first Saturday of each month from 10 to 3 p.m. Scholarship applications are already being accepted from now through March 26. Community grant requests are being accepted beginning Jan. 1 until April 14.

For more information visit www.fortmyerthriftshop.org or www.aowcgwa.org, or call the Fort Myer Thrift Shop at 703 527-0664.