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INVERMERE THRIFT STORE

LEARN ABOUT US

The Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society is a registered charitable organization with approximately 150 volunteers, who are dedicated to raising funds for the improvement and enhancement of the Health Care in the Columbia Valley. This Auxiliary is known for its commitment to healthcare in the District of East Kootenay.

 

The Auxiliary is able to raise funds through Invermere Thrift Store which is located right on the main street of Invermere (7th Ave). Since 1977, our Thrift Store started recycling, re-using and re-purposing donated goods. Over the years, the Society has raised many hundreds of thousands of Dollars for equipment and patient comfort, working tirelessly to strengthen health initiatives in the Columbia Valley.

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​Invermere Thrift Store operates 7 days a week! That's right - the Auxiliary volunteers are at the store every day of the week. On average, over 27,000 volunteer hours are donated each year. These hard-working volunteers are sorting, pricing, tagging, hanging and displaying the donated items on our shelves and racks ahead of re-opening the store every Thursday.  

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Invermere Thrift Store is open for business Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.  Donation days are Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm.

 

​Specialty items are sold through our Facebook page under 'Invermere Thrift Store'.

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Our Thrift Store is able to provide these incredible services to the Columbia Valley residents through our volunteers - without them, we would simply cease to exist. 

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 Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society has donated for the care, comfort, safety and medical needs of our community over the years. Since 2001, we have donated $3,532,225 and in 2023 alone we donated $424,225!

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We have also donated $160,500 (to the end of 2023) in bursaries and scholarships. 

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We, the volunteers, members and the people in our community (who are generously donating all the goods that we are selling) really make a difference!

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Enjoy browsing our website to learn more about our history, our funding, our volunteers and much more...

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HISTORY

 Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society began in the early 1900s. At that time, it was an informal group of ladies who saw a need in this small community and began volunteering together to raise money to support those in need of local healthcare. Some of the early ways to raise funds were through selling donated items, sponsoring teas and hosting dinners.

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By the 1960s, the ladies found new ways to raise funds including making and selling quilts, sewing baby clothing, selling hot chocolate on a cold day at the lake and starting the tradition of The Thrift Store Fashion Show.

 

Most of the donated items were stored in the Auxiliary members' homes. Operations constantly required moving these items which created extra work for the ladies and made the fundraising process more difficult.

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The Auxiliary ladies began to yearn for a place where all items could be stored in one location, a place where the valley residents knew they could find items at a good price.

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In 1976, the search for a rental space began and in 1977, the Auxiliary ladies started operating the very first Invermere Thrift Store in the lower level of the Lambert & Kipp building.

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The Thrift Store grew and in 2001 relocated to the lower level of the Leo Kienitz building. This new space benefited from having a back entrance in addition to the store's main entrance which made it easier for people in the community to donate items. 

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Through the years, with the growing amount of donations, the Auxiliary members were concerned about the lack of space for sorting and  displaying donated goods. The sorting often took place on the ramp at the rear of the building, and occurred outside which was particularly difficult during the cold winter months. In addition, there was no space to take a break during a busy shift, and so the Executives of the Auxiliary began, once again, to look for a more suitable location.

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On August 15th 2014 , the Executives of the Auxiliary were successful in the purchase of the lower level of the building located at 1229 7th Ave. The purchase of this property enabled Invermere Thrift Store to expand considerably with more square footage, a ramp for dropping off donations, and enough space to allow for sorting inside the building. The purchase of this property was completed on a co-ownership basis between Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society and Avail CPA (formerly Green Andruschuk LLP) who are located on the upper level.

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After substantial renovations, Invermere Thrift Store hosted their grand opening on Thursday, November 13th 2014.

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One of the main benefits of the new location at the lower level of 1229 7th Ave is that those people who have mobility challenges are now able to have accessibility enabling them to shop in a space that has main street access. 

 

After considerable renovations in 2014 and further renovations in the spring of 2019, Invermere Thrift Store is now able to provide shoppers with a large and bright space and a welcoming atmosphere. Our customers can enjoy a pleasurable shopping experience as they browse our large selection of good quality, gently-used clothing, housewares, artwork, books, jewelry, bags, purses, toys, linen and much much more.

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The following is a timeline:

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1910

The Invermere Ladies Auxiliary of the Windermere District Hospital was formed.

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1914

Through fundraising, the Ladies Auxiliary fully equipped the New Windermere District Hospital 

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1956

The Invermere Junior Ladies Hospital Aid to the Windermere District Hospital was formed. Its purpose was to absorb the younger ladies in the community and to assist the Senior Ladies Aid.  Over the years, separate Auxiliaries were formed in Windermere, Edgewater, Brisco and Fairmont. The Senior Ladies Aid disbanded in 1956, and donated all of its funds for purchasing of ambulance and equipment to the maternity and pediatric wards. 

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1972

The Hospital expanded and the Invermere Auxiliary bought items for the hospital expansion and helped to pay for the new patio.

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1977

The Invermere Ladies Hospital Auxiliary opened the Invermere Thrift Store. 

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1978

The Invermere Hospital Auxiliary won honorable mention by the Mineral King Mine as the Thrift Store was able to assist employees who lived at the town site located near the Mineral King Mine, as well as employees that lived in the Windermere Valley who commuted to the mine location.

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1986

BCAHA presented Invermere Hospital Auxiliary with a recognition award for 75 years of service.

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1991

Windermere District Hospital changed its name to Invermere & District Hospital and the Hospital Auxiliary became a Charitable Public Foundation based on direction from the CRA, and filed Tax Returns as a Registered Charity. We were not incorporated as a Society at that time. 

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1992

The Hospital Auxiliary expanded the Thrift Store.

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1997

The Hospital Auxiliary changed its name to the Health Care Auxiliary.

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1998-2010

The name changed to the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary, and all Tax Returns and Charitable Returns were filed under Invermere Health Care Auxiliary.

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2014

Incorporated under the BC Society Act, the name changed to the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society. 

 VOLUNTEERS 

The Invermere Thrift Store welcomes volunteers in all of its departments: receiving, sorting, testing, sales, clothing, housewares, crafts, books, linens, online and many more. 


The rewards from volunteering at the store are tremendous. You will feel like you are donating your valuable time and efforts to give back to the community through raising funds to a variety of health related causes. 

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In addition, you will enjoy the opportunity to socialize, make new friends and have fun. 

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Most of our volunteers work 3 to 6 hours a week. Our key words of awareness as we work with each other are: cooperation, respect and courtesy.


Orientation and training is provided for each new volunteer and any skill set that our volunteers bring with them is an asset. 

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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please click on the Online Application Link button below and submit your application. For technical support, call us or email us. We can also send you a paper copy of the application to fill if you prefer to submit your application manually. We welcome volunteers 14 years old and above.

14-18 year old volunteers need to volunteer with a supervising adult.

Volunteers

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 DONATIONS

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Our Thrift Store depends on generous donations of new and gently used goods from the community. We welcome donations of clean and good quality clothes, linens, books, toys, housewares, jewelry, cameras, backpacks, strollers and much more. We do not accept large electronic items such as TVs, stoves, refrigerators, microwaves and computers. We also can not take large furniture.  

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You may bring your donated items to the bins and the shelves at the back of the Thrift Store. These are easily accessible next to a large parking lot. 


Donations are accepted on Wednesdays/Thursdays from 9am-5pm. We kindly request not to leave any donations on the curb outside these hours. We have limited numbers of volunteers for receiving and sorting and limited store space for storage.

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All the donations are subject to quality control standards and are priced at the lowest possible level. We also welcome cash donations (donation receipts provided).

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Thank you for your continued support.

MEMBERSHIP/BOD

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Currently, approximately 150 of the Invermere Thrift Store volunteers are also members of the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary Society. When you are a member, you have input in the decision making of how the Society operates and how we continue to benefit health care in our community. Our members are eligible to vote on bylaws amendments, policy changes, the annual store operation budget and other special resolutions. Members are also entitled to serve on the Board of Directors, and function as Department Team Leads. All members are expected to attend at least one Society Meeting each year. The Annual General Meeting of the Society occurs in June each year.  This meeting counts towards the one meeting per year requirement. Currently, membership dues are $10 per year and are collected between September and November of each year, for membership the following year.
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Board of Directors 
Corinne Tansowny - President
Seona Helmer - Vice President
Kim Sylvestre - Secretary
Marion Labrie - Treasurer
Jane Gale - Director
Kerry Jopp - Director
Cathy Malchuk - Director

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HEALTH CARE FUNDING

These are the health care and community organizations who benefit from our funding

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INVERMERE & DISTRICT HOSPITAL

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EAST KOOTENAY REGIONAL HOSPITAL

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GOLDEN AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL

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EAST KOOTENAY FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH

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COLUMBIA HOUSE

COMMUNITY 
FUNDING

These are the community organizations who benefit from our funding

*** Click on the logo/picture to access the organization's web page ***

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Disclaimer: Under the rules of the Canada Revenue Agency, the IHCAS can only donate to qualified donees. A qualified donee is a registered charity with a board of directors, or a governing body.

In the past, under certain conditions, the CRA enabled us to fund health-care related projects by organizations that are not a registered charity. In most cases, these were non-profit organizations. 

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STARS AIR AMBULANCE

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HOSPICE SOCIETY OF THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

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FAMILY DYNAMIX

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INVERMERE FIRE RESCUE

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COLUMBIA VALLEY SEARCH AND RESCUE

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COLUMBIA HOUSE ENHANCEMENT SOCIETY

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT # 6

INVERMERE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

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DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

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VALLEY FITNESS

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ANGEL FLIGHT EAST KOOTENAY

SCHOLARSHIPS

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DAVID THOMPSON SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

We offer scholarships for David Thompson Secondary School graduates who are enrolled in a post secondary education program in a health related field.


The Auxiliary has a defined amount available for scholarships. Scholarship amounts vary each year depending on the number of successful applicants. Typically, the amount is between $1000-$2000 per student.

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Future students, please look for the advertisement in the June issue of the Columbia Pioneer Newspaper.

Nurse Taking Notes

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In June 2024, the following students from David Thompson Secondary School each received $1,000:

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Lauren Dales

Ave Debreuil

Kaitlyn Eason

Sahara Eccles

Payton Kruger

Lauren Irwin

Kayla Wolfenden

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ONLINE SALES

Antique Shop

Specialty Items

Specialty items are sold online through our Facebook Page

OPENING HOURS

Come Visit Us!

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

THE THRIFT STORE WILL BE UNDERGOING STRUCTURAL REPAIRS THROUGHOUT

THE MONTH OF JANUARY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

 

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 THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED EFFECTIVE

4PM ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 2024

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CLOSED FOR DONATIONS EFFECTIVE ​

5PM ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 2024

KINDLY DO NOT LEAVE DONATIONS DURING OUR CLOSURE

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WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE

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PHOTO GALLERY

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CONTACT US...

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INVERMERE THRIFT STORE DOES NOT          CURRENTLY HAVE ANY JOB VACANCIES

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