PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Habitat for Humanity ReStore celebrated its first anniversary Friday with free popcorn and sodas.
The net proceeds of the store at 728 E. Front St., in Port Angeles, go toward Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new, affordable homes for people in need in Clallam County.
The homes, built by volunteers and with “sweat equity” from those who will live in them, are sold to the new owners at no profit and with no interest charged.
The store’s first year was more successful than expected, said Bob Eichhorn, store manager.
Its proceeds paid for two-thirds of a house that is under construction in Port Angeles.
“It has been met with more acceptance from the community than we ever could have predicted,”
Eichhorn said. “We are so grateful for that.”
The official anniversary will be celebrated with a private party with staff and volunteers.
But the community has been invited since Wednesday and through Saturday to have free popcorn and sodas and to check out the ever-changing inventory of new and used home improvement materials, furniture and appliances that are donated by community members and retail stores. The goods are sold to the public at lower-than-retail prices.
A total of 126 tons of material has been donated to the store, said Jim Taft, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
As such, the items have been kept out of the landfills, Taft said.
The goal for next year is to raise enough money to pay for 1½ houses, he said.
“That is supported by how other stores have done in similar communities,” Taft said.
“Everyone benefits here,” Eichhorn said.
“The people who donate get a tax deduction. The people who purchase the stuff get a good deal on new, near-new stuff or items that we’ve tested, cleaned and repaired.
“Then the people who can’t get affordable housing benefit because the donations go to build houses.”
All of the funds that are raised within the community stay in the community, Eichhorn said.
“Many people who donate really like to know that the money raised from their donations is going to support people right here,” he said.
The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Saturday.
On Tuesdays, volunteers collect donations, organize the store and make repairs.
In addition to the 24 volunteers who work at the store, six positions are funded through Olympic Community Action Programs community job participant programs, which pays people to work in volunteer positions to gain work experience, expand their resumes and garner new skills.
“This is a fantastic program,” Eichhorn said, who added that nine people had already been through the program and moved on to other jobs.
“Not only do they get a job here doing great things, but they also learn from some of our wonderful volunteers who have the best work ethics I’ve ever seen.
“They learn how to focus and complete tasks and all sorts of invaluable job skills.”
Of the participants from OlyCAP, two former participants have secured permanent employment at Clallam County and one has been accepted to Peninsula College’s welding program, Taft said.
For more information, phone the store at 360-417-7543.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
