Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
79 results for "thrifting"
Jillian Lynch scored the wedding deal of a lifetime when she found her dream dress at an Ohio thrift store for less than the cost of a latte. Her viral TikTok moment is inspiring brides everywhere to rethink expensive wedding traditions.
A group of breast cancer survivors in Covington, Louisiana, is transforming a former doggy daycare into a thrift store that will provide free care baskets and support to cancer patients who can't afford treatment. The Pink Ladies are opening their doors January 30th to help women facing the same fears they once did.
A new Knoxville thrift store is turning donated goods into lifesaving funds for homeless animals. Pawsitively Thrifty puts every dollar of profit toward helping the Marion County Humane Society care for animals in need.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F40%2Fb1%2F40b16f5a-9862-4527-8ec7-ed11be2f1479%2Flead_art_painting.jpg)
An 88-year-old woman's instinct paid off spectacularly when her son used AI to identify her 1960s thrift store painting as a masterpiece by famous Scottish Colorist FCB Cadell. The artwork she bought for under $100 just sold at auction for more than $250,000.
A Virginia teacher turned thrift store volunteer into a community hero, transforming secondhand sales into scholarships, library support, and emergency services funding. For 15 years, Barbara Daniels has proven that caring hands and donated clothes can change lives.
A $4 thrift store record led a music promoter on a two-year search to find the band behind it. Now, 58 years after it was recorded, The Glass Cage's lost album is finally getting an official release.
A children's hospice thrift shop drowning in damaged donations found an unexpected savior. Fashion graduate Victoria Ford is transforming their unwanted rags into premium pieces, turning waste into hope.
Virtual shopping just got a charitable upgrade. Roblox players can now buy digital thrift store clothes for their avatars, and every purchase helps real people in need.
A small Garden City thrift store generates $1 million yearly to provide free clothes and school supplies to thousands of Idaho students. For over 30 years, volunteers have turned what started in a garage into a warehouse-sized shopping experience for kids in need.
After years of uncertainty and multiple relocations, Helena's Our Place Drop-in and Recovery Center is finally settling into what organizers hope will be its forever home. The daytime shelter for people experiencing homelessness is moving into Good Samaritan Ministries Thrift Store with a $162,000 renovation plan.
A group of breast cancer survivors in Louisiana are transforming a former doggy daycare into a thrift store that will provide free care baskets and affordable clothing to cancer patients facing financial hardship. The Pink Ladies are opening their doors to help patients navigate the emotional and financial challenges of treatment.
A retired department store buyer is using decades of merchandising expertise to help women in need find quality furniture and household items at affordable prices. Her volunteer work supports a nonprofit founded by a formerly homeless mother.
A music promoter bought a damaged vinyl record for four dollars at a thrift store and spent a decade tracking down the band and bringing their forgotten 1960s album to the world. Now 77, former bandleader Norman Roth will finally hear his music released officially this February.
For over 50 years, volunteers at Granny's Attic have transformed donated goods into community magic, funding everything from food banks to medical care. Last year alone, their work generated $1 million in sales and $250,000 in grants for local nonprofits.
Kaila Scally-Chadwick walked into a thrift shop looking for baby clothes and walked out with her perfect wedding dress for just $90. The vintage gown fit so perfectly she abandoned the made-to-order dress she'd already bought.
An Ohio animal charity forced to pause all services last month just got a $30,000 donation to open a thrift store. The Italian Scholarship League is helping Animal Charity of Ohio create a sustainable funding source for years to come. ---
Eight beloved organizations in Reno County are looking for volunteers to help serve their community, from walking therapy horses to running thrift shops that fund local programs. The Volunteer Center is connecting people with opportunities that match their skills and schedules.
A thrift store in Squamish, B.C., is giving Indigenous culture pride of place with a window display featuring handmade clothing, carvings, and artifacts loaned by local Elders. The 15-year tradition honors reconciliation while supporting women and youth in need.
A thrift store turned community resource in Bellville, Ohio, is transforming how veterans get help with everything from utility bills to furniture. Love Our Hero's now serves veterans across 18 counties, powered by donations and local businesses like Miller's Market that won't stop raising funds.
Showing 20 of 79