Fanwood-Scotch Plains Service League
50 Years of Service, $1.5 Million in Donations to the Community
The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Service League is celebrating 50 years of service in 2023, marked by a week-long celebration kicking off on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m.
That’s when Scotch Plains Mayor Joshua Losardo, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and other local officials will join members of the Service League at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Service League Thrift Shop, 1741 East Second Street, Scotch Plains. Resolutions will be presented, refreshments will be served and recognition given to the non-profit, all-volunteer Service League for their community contributions during the past 50 years.
From inception in 1973, the League has donated more than $1.5 million in grants to Union County organizations and in student scholarships, including $60,000 in donations this year alone. Proceeds come from the operation of the Thrift Shop, a staple in downtown Scotch Plains that offers good quality, reasonably priced merchandise to customers. All goods sold at the store come strictly from very generous donors who provide the shop with new or gently used items that they no longer need or want.
The Saturday ceremony will be followed by events throughout the week, including a raffle basket, small bags of candy as giveaways to store patrons, and a Vera Bradley handbag event starting Tuesday, May 9. All members of the public are invited to attend the Saturday May 6 event and to support the Service League mission to “Help Us Help Others.”
Looking ahead, the Service League’s goal for the next 50 years is to continue to contribute financially to worthwhile community organizations and to local high school and college students. Allowing it to reach that goal are the dedicated efforts of more than 35 Service League volunteers who selflessly donate their time to keep the shop in continuous operation and to ensure a very successful re-sale rate at the store.
The Thrift Shop provides benefits for donors who have a clean, convenient place to drop off their goods; for shoppers who can take advantage of very modest prices; and for the environment, by giving slightly used merchandise a second chance at a useful life rather than being relegated to landfills. The store offers a wide variety of regularly replenished clothing in sizes from infants to plus-size adults; shoes; all types of accessories from scarves to handbags; jewelry; bric-a-brac; housewares; framed art; collectibles; linens; dolls, toys, games, puzzles, books and DVDs.
Items for donation can be dropped off at the Thrift Shop any time during regular store hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
To learn more about the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Service League, the types of donations accepted and volunteer opportunities, please call the store at 908-322-5420.
You can also visit the Scotch Plains Thrift Shop web site scotchplainsthriftshop.weebly.com or our Facebook page.
