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Gift of Hope

About 2 years ago, as a sophomore in High School, I volunteered at a thrift store on the weekends. I didn't have any real reason for volunteering there initially; it was just something to do. I've never had many friends, so I figured that this would be a great opportunity to meet and work with people.

I would help stock, and then, when the doorbell rang, I'd dash to the back of the building, the donation door. People would come at all different times of day, to donate several items, and sometimes, even truckloads of donations. In fact, sometimes we'd run out of room, and have nowhere to put the donations.

This wasn't a normal thrift store, though; it was linked to a community organization that helped to give people with disabilities hope for a better future.

It wasn't until I'd volunteered there a while that I realized how much I was helping, how much WE were helping. And each time I would open the donation door, no matter how much the person gave, I gave them a big "Thank You" back, because they were enabling us to help others.

Story was submitted anonymously