Thrift Store Harbors Bargains and Hope for Kids

Thrift Harbor in downtown Claremore donates 100 percent of its proceeds to Hope Harbor Children’s Home & Family Ministries.

Imagine walking into your favorite department store to find a shirt or pair of jeans. How much do you think you’d spend – $20, $30, $40? At least that much, probably even more. Now imagine walking into Thrift Harbor in downtown Claremore searching for clean, high-quality clothing to help you look your best. How much do you think you’d spend there? Let’s just
say if you spent $40, you’d be walking out with dozens of shirts, skirts, jeans, dress pants and pajamas. That’s because the majority of clothing items at Thrift Harbor are $1 each. “Winter coats and prom dresses are more, but most of the clothes are priced at a dollar,” says store operator Shane McClaugherty. “All of our ­clothing and other items for sale are gently used, clean and high quality.”
    If saving tons of money isn’t enticing enough, knowing where your money ends up may lure you to Thrift Harbor. The store donates 100 percent of its ­proceeds to Hope Harbor Children’s Home & Family Ministries in Claremore. The store is operated by volunteers and staff members of Hope Harbor, including Shane, who began at Hope Harbor as a house parent and is now the campus manager. “I began ­working there out of a desire to help kids. Hope Harbor really helps children and teens get back on track,” says Shane. Their stated mission is to give glory to God by providing ­residential, educational, ­emotional and spiritual care designed to restore hope and to equip at-risk youth for lives with meaning and purpose. They do so through a family-style setting, on-site schooling, individual and group counseling, an emphasis on serving, and continued ­support after the child has returned home.     
    In addition, Hope Harbor recently added off-site ­counseling services to families at a low cost. They offer counseling to children, adolescents, ­couples and parents for issues such as anger, stress, grief, abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety and spirituality.
    Thrift Harbor opened in March of this year. “Everything we do at the thrift store is to benefit Hope Harbor, as well as the community by providing low prices for life’s needs,” says Shane. “All items are donated and are priced to sell, including furniture and appliances. This allows us to be a wonderful resource to community members on a budget.” And honestly, who isn’t on a budget these days?
    Thrift Harbor offers ­clothing for men, women, ­children and babies priced at $1, beautiful formal and prom ­dresses for $10, outerwear, shoes, jewelry, purses, ­accessories, books, toys and ­puzzles, electronics, knickknacks, home décor, glass wear and china, furniture, appliances, and more. “We receive new items daily,” adds Shane.
    The store will also begin offering collectibles and other unique items up for bid on Ebay. Check out their website for updates, www.thriftharbor.com.
    If you’d like to support Thrift Harbor and the kids of Hope Harbor Children’s Home, they are always in need of volunteers and donated items to sell.
    Hope Harbor Children’s Home & Family Ministries is a 501(c)3 organization. The ­children’s home has been ­serving families since 1947. For more information about
their services, visit www.hopeharborinc.org.
    Thrift Harbor is located at 405 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in historic downtown Claremore. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 For more information, contact

Thrift Harbor

405 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017
www.thriftharbor.com