On Sunday, January 18th, Main Street Treasures volunteers were treated to a luncheon at the Argo and a small gift to celebrate the holidays and the store's many accomplishments.
Board member Joyce Stevens gathered statistics, and board members reported:
2025 was a big year for Main Street Treasures as over $89,700 was given back to the community in donations, projects, and improvements. Since opening in June of 2017, Main Street Treasures has given over $468,900 back to the area.
Some of the donations include city improvements - highway speed signs, auditorium improvements, trash cans, light poles painting, swimming pool, Christmas decorations, and playground equipment in the North Park. Other donations include the electronic marquee sign, donations to the Senior Center, American Legion, Cottonwood Villa, Baseball Association, Crofton Volunteer Fields, fire/rescue, churches, and schools, and shopping days and donations to families and individuals in need. People who have recently had health issues or lost a close family member have received free meal tickets to Crofton's Senior Citizens' Center. Over 1,200 meal tickets have been sent to area residents. MST has given away more than $33,800 in Crofton Community Club Bucks, keeping money here in our community.
Part of Main Street Treasures' mission is to be a resource for recycling and reusing clothing and other items. When the store can't sell items for various reasons, those items may be sent to other good causes including Cottonwood Villa, Orphan Grain Train, Contact Center, Pathways Homeless Shelter, River City Domestic Violence Center, Heartland Humane Society, Boys/Girls Club, Little Book Library, and others. To give an idea of the impact the store has had on other organizations, it was reported that Main Street Treasures has sent over 4,200 boxes to Orphan Grain Train since opening. The drivers who deliver the boxes to Norfolk were thanked.
Special thanks were given to the Core Team members: Marlene Hynes, Dorothy Schoenberner, Bernice Tramp, Vicki Woockman, and Mary Tramp, for their behind-the-scenes work and commitment to the achievements of the volunteers and store.
Board member Erin Dennis reminisced that when the store opened, the hope was to just break even. The board knew that even if they couldn't give a significant amount back in monetary donations, they would at least be giving life to an old building, providing affordable shopping options, and becoming an outlet for people to get rid of their still-useful items. The store has certainly done better than break even, and its success has surpassed all expectations, thanks to the dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm of the volunteers.
The luncheon and gift were small ways to recognize the very big things the volunteers do for the greater Crofton area.